NASA published a progress update October 20 on the robotic and crew-carrying rovers intended to support its planned Moon Base. The vehicles have different roles, from mapping and resource investigations before astronauts arrive to transporting crews, samples and tools during later missions.

The VIPER rover is fully built and undergoing final testing at Johnson Space Center in Houston, according to NASA. Its planned 2027 mission will investigate water and other resources near the lunar south pole. Mission operations are to be directed from Ames Research Center in California; the rover has not yet begun its lunar exploration.

NASA also described development work by Astrolab and Lunar Outpost on crew-capable lunar terrain vehicles. Astronaut evaluations have used mockups to examine interfaces, usability and comfort. Wheel and traction testing at Glenn Research Center in Cleveland is planned in the coming weeks.

The agency says both companies are working toward flight-ready hardware at the end of 2027, with delivery to the lunar surface planned by 2028. Those are future milestones. Earth-based prototypes, completed hardware tests and successful operations on the Moon are distinct achievements and should not be conflated.