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Abstract

The Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER) mission will use a suite of instruments to con-duct exploration science by mapping volatiles, especially hydrogen bearing volatiles, near the south pole of the Moon [1] starting in late 2023. NASA has selected and announced VIPER’s “Mission Area,” which is approxi-mately 5 × 5 km centered at 31.6218 ◦ E, 85.42088 ◦ S near the western edge of Nobile crater within which VIPER will land and carry out its primary mission. Selection of the landing site within this area and the traverse route are still pending, and selections are expected later this year (2022). This abstract describes the criteria for selecting the VIPER Mission Area.