NASA picks Astrobotic for moon mission, awards Pittsburgh company almost $200M

NASA is humming “Fly Me To The Moon,” and Astrobotic’s in the driver’s seat. On Thursday, NASA said it has awarded the Pittsburgh-based startup $199.5 million to deliver its rover to the moon’s south pole in late 2023 to find frozen water. The rover, Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover, or VIPER, “will help pave the way for astronaut missions to the lunar surface beginning in 2024 and will bring NASA a step closer to developing a sustainable, long-term presence on the moon…