The troubled private moon lander Peregrine, which experienced a fuel leak soon after liftoff last week, is currently heading toward Earth.
Peregrine, launched towards the moon on January 8 using a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket, encountered a significant fuel leak shortly after detaching from the booster.
Astrobotic Updates on Ill-Fated Moon Lander's Earthbound Trajectory
Astrobotic has been consistently providing updates on the status of the Peregrine lander since the beginning of its troubled journey. After separating from the rocket, the spacecraft faced an onboard explosion, leading to the realization that a soft lunar landing was unattainable due to the significant loss of propellant.
Despite this setback, Astrobotic managed to activate science experiments carried out for NASA and other space agencies, continuing to collect valuable spaceflight data.
The latest assessment from Astrobotic indicates that the Peregrine spacecraft is now on a trajectory toward Earth, where it is expected to burn up in the planet's atmosphere.
The Pittsburgh-based company conveyed this information through a post on X (formerly Twitter) and emphasized that the team is actively evaluating options, promising further updates as soon as possible. The box-shaped robot has been in space for over five days and currently resides at a distance of 242,000 miles (390,000 kilometers) from Earth.
Despite the company's efforts to prolong the lander's operational life, the spacecraft's fate appears inevitable due to its trajectory. Space enthusiasts who closely monitored Peregrine's progress had initially hoped for a "hard landing" on the Moon, but it is now evident that even this reduced goal is unattainable.
Astrobotic refrained from specifying a projected date for Peregrine's entry into Earth's atmosphere. However, the company's engineers are actively engaged in salvage efforts to preserve the spacecraft. As of the latest update, Peregrine is positioned approximately 242,000 miles (389,000 kilometers) from Earth, just beyond the moon's orbit, which is approximately 238,000 miles (384,400 km) from Earth.
NASA's Commitment to Commercial Lunar Exploration
Astrobotic previously expressed its intent to maximize Peregrine's flight proximity to the lunar surface despite acknowledging it wouldn't reach the moon due to the fuel leak.
NASA's science associate administrator, Nicky Fox, praised Astrobotic's dedication and resilience in a tweet, recognizing the inherent challenges of sending a spacecraft to the Moon. Fox emphasized that breakthrough innovation involves both rewards and risks, highlighting the complexities of lunar missions.
The mission, part of NASA's program facilitating private space companies in sending payloads to space and the lunar surface, represents the agency's commitment to fostering a commercial lunar economy.
Despite Astrobotic's setback, NASA, having invested over $100 million in the venture under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, maintains a strategy of "more shots on goal" to increase the chances of success. The next attempt, led by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, is scheduled for launch in February.
While Astrobotic faced challenges in achieving a soft landing, it remains a key player in NASA's lunar exploration plans. The company will have another opportunity in November with its Griffin lander, tasked with transporting NASA's VIPER rover to the lunar south pole, underscoring the persistence and continuous efforts in advancing lunar exploration capabilities.
RELATED ARTICLE: Vulcan Centaur Launches Astrobotic's Lunar Lander: Peregrine Faces Fuel Issue After Historic U.S. Soft Moon Landing Attempt
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