# NASA canceled its rover. A startup is building nuclear power system for Moon without contract.

- slug: nasa-canceled-its-rover-a-startup-is-building-nuclear-power-system-for-moon-without-contract
- date: 2026-04-15
- category: Space & Aerospace

VIPER is dead, NASA has no funded replacement for its polar lunar rover, and Zeno Power is building the only radioisotope power system designed for the dark without a NASA contract. PRISM in February 2026 and a 2027 hardware target are on a collision course.

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