Solving a dilemma with an antenna and a nimble gimbal ⁣ ⁣ In order to send commands to and receive data from VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) teams at NASAAmes are testing a gimbal-pointed high-gain antenna able to transmit large amounts of data from the surface of the Moon. VIPER will be almost continually on the move on the lunar south pole region as it maps ice and other resources.⁣ ⁣ Testing technology designed for the lunar surface can be tricky, especially when the system will be used to relay data across the roughly 240,000 mile (386,000 km) gap between the Moon and Earth. The engineers found a solution by aiming the new gimbal at the Moon while traveling across the Roverscape test facility.⁣ ⁣ Image description: Ethan Massey, a VIPER flight software engineer, holds wires beside the latest prototype of the VIPER as it conducts a night time test on the sandy beige Roverscape. VIPER has large silver wheels, a yellow body, and a silver antenna jutting out fro...