PROMISE (rover)
Proposed NASA lunar rover
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
PROMISE (Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping and In-Situ Exploration, formerly known as OPTIMISM) is a proposed NASA lunar rover intended to explore the lunar south pole as part of the Moon Base program.[1]
(9 ft 6 in × 8 ft 10 in × 7 ft 3 in)
| Polar Rover for Observation, Mapping and In-Situ Exploration | |
|---|---|
| |
| Type | Lunar rover |
| Owner | NASA |
| Manufacturer | Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
| Specifications | |
| Dimensions | 2.9 m × 2.7 m × 2.2 m (9 ft 6 in × 8 ft 10 in × 7 ft 3 in) |
| Dry mass | 1,025 kilograms (2,260 lb) |
| Communication | |
| Power | MMRTG; 110 watt |
| Instruments | |
In July 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that the agency is considering launching the twin engineering model of the Mars rover Perseverance to the Moon. The rover would be powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, allowing the rover to remain operational during the Moon's long nights.
History
OPTIMISM, an acronym for Operational Perseverance Twin for Integration of Mechanisms and Instruments Sent to Mars was built ahead of the launch of Perseverance to Mars over a period of two years by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory as a near-perfect replica of Perseverance, known as a vehicle system test bed (VSTB), used for testing and troubleshooting.[2] It is housed at the JPL Mars Yard along with the Curiosity VSTB MAGGIE and is used to test operational procedures and to aid in problem solving should any issues arise with Perseverance.[3] It is powered by electrical power cables in service as the VSTB for Perseverance.[4]
In July 2026, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman announced that the agency was considering launching the rover, now renamed PROMISE, to the Moon. The rover would be powered by a radioisotope thermoelectric generator, allowing the rover to remain operational during the Moon's long nights.[5][6] Engineers at JPL believe that the rover, originally designed for Mars, could be modified to be usable on the Moon.[7] The rover would be used to prospect for resources and scout locations for future lunar infrastructure, with the same scientific capabilities as the Curiosity and Perseverance rovers.[8][9]
