The Peregrine 1 module, developed by Astrobotics, will analyze radiation levels and the composition of the lunar surface. It’s another step towards sending the first wave of astronauts to the Moon since 1972.
(DW) On Monday (08/01), the United States launched the first rocket towards the surface of the Moon in more than 50 years, in an initiative led by the private sector.
The Vulcan Centaur rocket, developed by the United Launch Alliance (ULA), successfully took off from the launch base in Cape Canaveral, Florida, carrying the Peregrine 1 lunar module, from Astrobotic Technology.
Peregrine 1 will make a 46-day journey to the Moon. It is scheduled to land on February 23rd in a mid-latitude region called Sinus Viscositatis, or Adhesion Bay.
The rocket from ULA – a joint venture of aerospace companies Lockheed Martin and Boeing – has reusable initial propulsion engines, which should result in cost savings.
On board Peregrine 1 is a range of scientific equipment that will analyze radiation levels and the composition of the lunar surface, as part of the preparation for sending the first wave of astronauts to the Moon since 1972, when the last manned mission of the Apollo program took place.
Other items carried by the 1.90 meter high module are a shoebox-sized lunar rover developed by Carnegie Mellon University, a Bitcoin coin and a rock from Mount Everest.
The module also carries ashes and DNA samples from the creator of the Star Trek television series, Gene Roddenberry, and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.
The Vulcan Centaur’s upper stage, which will circle the Sun after ejecting the lunar module, carries the remains of actors from the cast of Star Trek and hair samples from US presidents George Washington, Dwight D. Eisenhower and John F. Kennedy.
Space race in the private sector
The US has turned to the commercial sector to stimulate initiatives that make it possible to send equipment to the Moon at lower costs through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which also aims to carry out commercial missions ordered by customers.
Astrobotic, based in Pittsburgh, could be the first private company to land on the Moon – something that has only been achieved by four countries to date. The company, however, faces competition from Intuitive Machines, from Houston, which has also developed a lunar module, scheduled to take off in February. It is possible that the Intuitive Machines module will reach the lunar surface before Peregrine 1, as it will take a more direct route to the Moon’s south pole.
The American space agency NASA has funded the two companies with millions of dollars to develop and launch new lunar modules. The aim is also to transport equipment and carry out scientific experiments, as well as work commissioned by private companies.
Nasa’s new program called Artemis – named after the twin sister of the god Apollo in Greek mythology – aims to transport human beings to the Moon in the coming years. A mission to lunar orbit manned by four astronauts is initially planned, and should take place by the end of the year.
The countries that have successfully carried out soft landings on the Moon were the Soviet Union in 1966, followed by the United States – the only country to put astronauts on the lunar surface. China has made three landings in the last decade. The last country to complete a successful landing was India, last year.
*** Translated by DEFCONPress FYI Team ***