NASA spends ~$750 million to land rover on Moon, then cancels nearly finished project

[Legend]

NASA Ends VIPER Project, Continues Moon Exploration - NASA

Rover is near finished, lander still needs a bit of work. $84 million needed to finish yet they just cancel it? Why!? I agree with making changes if things aren't working well but how is this the best outcome? Put the rover on a different lander if needed.

[Legend]

Of the awfulest ideas NASA has lately come up with, this is one of the awfulest.

— Homer Hickam (@realhomerhickam) July 17, 2024

This is a bad mistake. NASA cancels the VIPER mission. This was the premier mission to measure lateral and vertical variations of lunar ice in the soil. It would have been revolutionary. Other missions don’t replace what is lost here. https://t.co/gUjkCqBziu

— Dr. Phil Metzger (@DrPhiltill) July 17, 2024

Smart people also think this makes little sense.