Astrobotic is set to deliver a lunar rover built by Venturi Astrolab to the south polar region of the moon by the end of this year. The rover, called FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP), will be mounted on Astrobotic’s Griffin-1 lander and is expected to make its launch after NASA announced it would not use the lander for its Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission.
After losing VIPER, Astrobotic sought out a new payload, and Venturi Astrolab was chosen due to its similarities in size and mass to VIPER. The deal was completed quickly, with minimal changes needed to either FLIP or Griffin-1.
FLIP is similar in size and mass to VIPER, weighing 500 kilograms and carrying up to 30 kilograms of payloads. Astrolab plans to continue taking inquiries about payload accommodations on the rover. Griffin-1 will also carry a CubeRover and payloads from NASA, ESA, and an undisclosed customer.
The partnership has received support from Sen. John Fetterman, who praised Astrobotic’s efforts in securing a new mission despite losing VIPER.
Source: https://spacenews.com/astrolab-to-fly-its-flip-lunar-lander-on-astrobotics-griffin-1-lander