VIPER back from the dead? NASA asks US companies to partner on ice-hunting moon rover

A four-wheeled robot in a cleanroom under UV lights.

NASA's ice-hunting VIPER rover could fly to the moon after all — with some help from the private sector.

The agency announced on Monday (Feb. 3) that it's seeking proposals from U.S. companies to partner on VIPER, whose original incarnation as a $450 million NASA mission came to an end last summer due to budget concerns.