The excitement surrounding the first-ever U.S. commercial moon lander has been dampened by a major setback. Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lunar lander has encountered a propulsion system failure just hours into its groundbreaking mission. Now, the team behind this ambitious project is racing against the clock to salvage the situation and send the spacecraft as close to the moon as possible before it runs out of power.
The Peregrine lunar lander had been slated to reach the moon on February 23. However, the ongoing propellant leak in its Attitude Control System (ACS) thrusters has forced them to work overtime to prevent an uncontrolled tumble. In a recent statement, Astrobotic revealed that if the thrusters can continue operating, they estimate the spacecraft could maintain a stable sun-pointing position for approximately 40 more hours, based on current fuel consumption. Maintaining this position is crucial for the operation of its solar panels.
“While we continue to face challenges with the propellant leak, our primary objective now is to bring Peregrine as close to lunar distance as possible, ensuring we maintain its sun-pointing position until the last moment,” stated Astrobotic, expressing their determination to salvage the mission.
The Peregrine lunar lander took off atop the first Vulcan rocket earlier this week, successfully detaching from the rocket’s Centaur upper stage around 51 minutes into the flight. The plan was for Peregrine to enter an orbit above Earth at a staggering distance of over 220,000 miles, ultimately intercepting and landing on the moon.
However, shortly after separation, an unexpected anomaly occurred that prevented Astrobotic from achieving a stable sun-pointing orientation. In a statement issued approximately seven hours after launch, the company acknowledged a failure in the lander’s propulsion system as the likely cause of this predicament, putting the entire moon mission in jeopardy.
With time running out, the team at Astrobotic is working tirelessly to stabilize the situation. “Given the circumstances, we have shifted our focus towards maximizing the scientific data we can gather,” explained the Pittsburgh-based company in a recent statement. “In light of the current challenges, we are also exploring alternative mission profiles that may be feasible at this juncture.”
As the Peregrine lunar lander finds itself in a race against time, the eyes of the world anxiously watch the outcome of this critical situation. Will the spacecraft overcome this obstacle and make its mark on lunar history? Only time will tell.
The Peregrine Mission: Delivering Science and Technology to the Moon
The Peregrine mission is an integral part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. Its primary objective is to transport NASA scientific instruments to the lunar surface for in-depth study and analysis.
Identifying the Root Cause
Recently, NASA faced a propulsion issue with the Peregrine spacecraft. In collaboration with Astrobotic, NASA is diligently working to identify the underlying cause of this anomaly. The focus is also on evaluating how it might affect the five science investigations being carried out on board the spacecraft. As NASA expressed on Twitter, “Space is hard.”
Tranquility Flight: A Special Payload
In addition to NASA’s instruments, Peregrine is also entrusted with carrying a payload that holds special significance. Celestis Memorial Spaceflights has entrusted the spacecraft with sending cremated human remains into space. This significant payload is aptly named the Tranquility Flight.
Efforts from Other Countries
Various nations across the globe have been intensifying their efforts to explore the moon. One such example is a Japanese spacecraft known as the Smart Lander for Investigating Moon (SLIM). Having been launched from the Tanegashima Space Center on September 6, SLIM has been successfully inserted into lunar orbit on December 25. The anticipated landing on the lunar surface is scheduled for January 19.
Success for United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Rocket
While Peregrine has experienced setbacks, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket has achieved a major milestone. The maiden flight of Vulcan, known as the CERT-1 flight test, marks a significant achievement for United Launch Alliance. Established in 2006 as a joint venture between Boeing Co. and Lockheed Martin Corp., United Launch Alliance has proven its capabilities in the realm of space exploration.
These recent advancements in space exploration demonstrate the unwavering commitment of various organizations, both public and private, toward unraveling the mysteries of the moon. As we applaud these achievements and look forward to more groundbreaking missions, let us remember that the path to space is filled with challenges that require perseverance and collaborative efforts.
