United Launch Alliance successfully launched its next-generation Vulcan rocket from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. (via NASA)
A U.S. lunar lander that successfully launched from Florida on Monday, aiming for the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years, experienced an “anomaly” during the flight, its creator announced.
Astrobotic Technology said its Peregrine lunar module lifted off aboard a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station at 2:18 a.m. and was 310 miles above Earth about 50 minutes later. It was separated into
“All Astrobotics avionics systems, including the main command and data processing units, thermal, propulsion, and power controllers, powered up and operated as expected,” the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania-based company said in a statement. “After successfully activating the propulsion system, Peregrine has entered a safe operating state.”
“Unfortunately, an anomaly subsequently occurred and Astrobotic was unable to achieve stable solar orientation,” the company said. Astrobotic said the lander was designed with solar panels facing the sun for “maximum power generation” while in orbit.
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United Launch Alliance successfully launched a next-generation Vulcan rocket carrying the Peregrine Lunar Module early Monday morning. (United Launch Alliance)
“The research team believes that the cause of the Sun's unstable orientation is likely a propulsion anomaly, which, if proven true, could threaten the spacecraft's ability to make a soft landing on the Moon. “There is,” he added. “As the team works to troubleshoot the issue, the spacecraft's batteries are reaching low operational levels. Just before entering a period of known communications failure, the team redirects the solar panels toward the sun. Developed and implemented improvised operations.”
According to Sky News, NASA paid Astrobotic $108 million to bring five scientific instruments to the moon.
“NASA's instruments on board Peregrine will help NASA prepare for the Artemis mission, which will enable a sustained human presence on the moon,” Astrobotic said in a statement.
Sky News reports that the Peregrine lander also contains the remains of several Star Trek cast members and the DNA of President John F. Kennedy.
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The rocket lifted off at 2:18 a.m. Monday from Space Launch Complex-41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida. (United Launch Alliance)
Prior to the “anomaly” announcement, Astrobotic announced that the Peregrine spacecraft would attempt to land on the moon on February 23rd.
“Peregrine could be the first commercial lander to land on the moon, and the first American lander in more than 50 years,” the magazine said.
The last U.S. mission to the moon was Apollo 17 in 1972.
This 2024 illustration by Astrobotic Technology depicts the Peregrine lunar module on the moon. (Astrobotic Technology / AP Images)
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Astrobotic announced Monday that the launch was the “maiden flight” of the Vulcan rocket developed by United Launch Alliance, a joint venture between Lockheed and Boeing.
