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Fiery End for the Peregrine: First US Lunar Lander in 50 Years Faces Unexpected Conclusion

The much-anticipated Peregrine spacecraft, the harbinger of the first US lunar landing mission in over 50 years, is now veering towards a fiery reentry after a critical fuel leak thwarted its lunar ambitions. Developed by Astrobotic Technology under a $108 million contract with NASA, the Peregrine lander encountered a series of challenges, including an anomaly affecting its solar-powered battery and the fuel leak that left it without sufficient propellant for the planned lunar touchdown.

The failed mission marks a setback for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which enlists private companies to explore the lunar surface as part of the agency’s broader goal to return humans to the moon later this decade.

Astrobotic Technology, based in Pittsburgh, made the decision to dispose of the spacecraft by allowing it to disintegrate midair during reentry, ensuring a responsible and safe conclusion to the mission. The company stated that although the spacecraft could have potentially operated for several more weeks, the anomalous state of the propulsion system led to the decision to end the mission.

The Peregrine lander faced challenges en route to the moon, including an “anomaly” that affected its battery orientation and the fuel leak, hindering its soft landing on the lunar surface. The exact cause of the leak remains unknown.

While Astrobotic had disposal options, including leaving the spacecraft adrift in space or crash-landing it on the moon, the company opted for a controlled reentry to avoid the risk of the damaged spacecraft causing issues or becoming uncontrolled debris in space. The mission’s unexpected end is expected to be discussed further during a news conference scheduled for Thursday at 12 p.m. ET by Astrobotic and NASA.

Despite the critical errors and inability to complete the lunar landing, the Peregrine lander did manage to achieve some scientific objectives. Two of NASA’s payloads gathered data on radiation levels in space, providing valuable insights for future lunar missions. Additionally, a new sensor called the Navigation Doppler Lidar, developed by NASA, was successfully activated, contributing to technical knowledge and scientific data for future lunar deliveries.

While the Peregrine spacecraft’s mission faced an early conclusion, it has left an indelible mark on lunar exploration, emphasizing the challenges and complexities of space endeavors.