On Christmas Eve, December 24, 2023, a spacecraft will be launched to the Moon to carry out an unprecedented commercial mission in history, according to Space.com earlier this December.
The spacecraft is named Peregrine Lunar Lander – named after the fastest bird on Earth, the Peregrine Falcon.
Image of the “Peregrine” Falcon on the Moon. (Photo: Astrobotic Technology).
If all goes according to plan, the “Peregrine” will land in the ancient lava flow region on the Moon known as Sinus Viscositatis.
This mission will be recorded in history for many reasons, one of which is that it is the first mission launched under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, created as a way for the agency to transport payloads from Earth to the Moon.
It will also be the first time technology from 7 countries will be simultaneously launched to the Moon.
During a briefing on November 29, representatives from Astrobotic Technology (the American company manufacturing the Peregrine Lunar Lander), United Launch Alliance, and of course NASA gathered to discuss some of the payloads that Peregrine will carry to the Moon.
A total of 20 payloads from 7 countries will be carried by the “Peregrine” Falcon to Earth’s natural satellite. Among them, 5 payloads (scientific instruments from NASA) are from the United States, while the others are from the United Kingdom, Mexico, Germany, Hungary, Japan, and Seychelles (a country in East Africa).
“We will deliver the technological ‘representatives’ of 7 countries to the surface of the Moon, six of which have never touched the Moon’s surface” – John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic Technology, stated.
With advanced technologies, the journey of exploring the Moon’s surface by these 7 countries promises to provide scientists with valuable information and data.
Peregrine Lander transporting payloads accurately and safely to lunar orbit and the Moon’s surface. (Photo: Astrobotic Technology)
Peregrine is ready to undertake one of the first commercial missions to the Moon and is one of the first American spacecraft to land on the Moon since the Apollo Program in the 20th century.
According to Astrobotic Technology, the cost of launching payloads to the Moon will be $1.2 million per kilogram.
Peregrine is expected to launch on the inaugural flight of the Vulcan Centaur rocket developed by United Launch Alliance. This rocket is an upgraded version of the company’s Atlas V and Delta IV launch vehicles, designed to carry a substantial amount of cargo into space.
