In an exciting leap for space exploration, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander, carrying cutting-edge NASA scientific instruments as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, embarked on its lunar journey atop United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. The momentous launch occurred at 2:18 a.m. EST from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida, marking the first US private robotic Artemis flight.
Peregrine is now en route to the Moon, anticipating a 46-day journey before it touches down on the lunar surface. Once there, it will deploy a suite of NASA instruments to conduct groundbreaking studies, significantly contributing to our understanding of lunar processes and evolution.
The five NASA science and research payloads aboard Peregrine will focus on diverse objectives, including studying the lunar exosphere, exploring thermal properties of the lunar regolith, analyzing hydrogen abundances in the soil at the landing site, and monitoring the radiation environment. These findings will not only advance our knowledge of planetary science but also play a pivotal role in supporting sustainable human exploration and resource identification for potential future missions.
NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed enthusiasm about the successful launch, highlighting the significance of these high-risk missions for humanity. He emphasized their role in conducting new science on the Moon, fostering a growing commercial space economy, and showcasing the strength of American technology and innovation.
The CLPS flight encompasses an array of NASA research endeavors, featuring instruments such as the Laser Retroreflector Array for precise positioning measurements, the Neutron Spectrometer System to search for water indicators, and the Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer for radiation environment analysis. Additionally, the Near InfraRed Volatiles Spectrometer System will contribute insights into surface hydration and volatiles, while the Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer will study the Moon’s thin exosphere layer and the movement of volatiles.
Scheduled to land on the Moon on February 23, Peregrine will spend approximately 10 days conducting scientific experiments and collecting invaluable data about our celestial neighbor. This mission serves as a crucial stepping stone, laying the groundwork for the upcoming Artemis missions, where the first woman and the first person of color are poised to explore the Moon, ushering in a new era of lunar exploration.