SpaceMiningData
SpacecraftMoonIn development

Griffin Mission One (Griffin-1, NASA Moon Base II)

First flight of Astrobotic's Griffin lander (Astrobotic now operates as Voyager Lunar Systems), a NASA CLPS delivery to the Nobile Crater area near the lunar south pole planned for late 2026. After NASA ended VIPER in 2024, its resource-relevant cargo is the NASA Ames/Interlune METAL investigation, which NASA says will study helium-3 abundance in the regolith.

Objective. Deliver NASA payloads including the METAL investigation (NASA Ames with Interlune), which NASA says will study helium-3 abundance in the lunar regolith to inform in-situ resource utilization.

Targeted

Facts

Kind
Spacecraft
Mission type
Prospecting
Target
MoonNobile Crater region, lunar south pole (per NASA)
Launch
Planned 2026 H2 (target)
Announcement date not recorded. Record checked 2026-09-25.
Phase
In developmentNASA's Moon Base Phases page (last updated 2026-08-24) shows the lander being prepared for environmental testing at JPL ahead of a planned late-2026 launch.
Outcome
Not applicable
Why it is included
Stated resource objective

Participants

Operators, payload owners, carriers and customers are recorded separately.

OrganizationRole
Astrobotic TechnologyOperator
National Aeronautics and Space AdministrationCustomer
InterlunePayload owner

Carried on this mission

RecordKindOperator
METAL multispectral camera (Interlune / NASA Ames) on Griffin-1InstrumentInterlune

Resources and evidence

ResourceEvidence
Helium-3Targeted

Open evidence gaps

  • Launch vehicle and a launch-provider manifest were not confirmed from a primary source (phase therefore in development, not manifested).
  • Whether METAL is mounted on Astrolab's FLIP rover (Interlune/Astrolab 2025 release) or on the lander deck; METAL multispectral camera (Interlune / NASA Ames) on Griffin-1 points here directly, skipping FLIP.

Record history

changes to this record's facts, newest first

ChangedFieldWasNowReasonSource
2026-05-26launch dateno earlier than fall 2025late 2026 (2026-H2 target)Schedule slip[3]
2024-07-17objectiveDeliver NASA's VIPER water-ice prospecting rover (2020 CLPS award)Griffin flight demonstration without VIPERReclassification[5]

Sources

6 sources
  1. [1]Moon Base Phases
    NASAGovernment recordPublished 2026-08-24Accessed 2026-09-25Supports: phase, launch date
    The lander is being prepared for transport to NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, where it will undergo environmental testing ahead of its planned launch to the Moon in late 2026.
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.
  2. [2]Moon Base Phases
    NASAGovernment recordPublished 2026-08-24Accessed 2026-09-25Supports: inclusion basis, objective, resources, participants
    the Moon Exploration for Titanium with Active Lighting (METAL) investigation, developed by NASA's Ames Research Center in partnership with Interlune. METAL will study the abundance of helium-3 in the lunar regolith
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.
  3. [3]NASA Provides Update on Moon Base Rovers, Landers, Missions
    NASAGovernment recordPublished 2026-05-26Accessed 2026-09-25Supports: participants, history
    Moon Base II: Planned for launch later this year, this mission will deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo on Astrobotic's Griffin lander, including Astrolab's FLIP rover
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.
  4. [4]CLPS Flight: Astrobotic's Griffin Mission One
    NASAGovernment recordAccessed 2026-09-25Supports: target site
    The Astrobotic Griffin-1 mission will deliver more than 1,100 pounds of cargo to the Nobile Crater at the lunar South Pole, including the Astrolab FLIP rover
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.
  5. [5]NASA Ends VIPER Project, Continues Moon Exploration
    NASAGovernment recordPublished 2024-07-17Accessed 2026-09-25Supports: history
    Astrobotic will continue its Griffin Mission One within its contract with NASA, working toward a launch scheduled for no earlier than fall 2025. The landing without VIPER will provide a flight demonstration of the Griffin lander and its engines.
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.
  6. [6]Voyager awarded $298M NASA contract under completed Astrobotic acquisition
    Voyager TechnologiesCompany statementPublished 2026-07-13Accessed 2026-09-25Supports: participants, summary
    Astrobotic now operates as Voyager Lunar Systems
    Quote matched the source text when accessed.