Peregrine commercial lunar lander launches from Florida

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander launched on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket at 7.18 GMT today (Jan 8, 2024), beginning an approximate 46-day journey to the Moon. The spacecraft is the first to fly under NASA’s commercial lunar payload services (CLPS), a new programme that will see NASA working with private companies to deliver scientific equipment to the Moon.

Alongside five NASA instruments, Peregrine will carry a further 15, including a small robot developed by Carnegie Mellon University, set to become the first US robot to operate on the lunar surface. According to NASA, the collection of instruments will facilitate study of the Moon’s exosphere, thermal properties of lunar regolith, hydrogen abundances in the soil at the landing site, as well as conduct radiation environment monitoring. 

“The first CLPS launch has sent payloads on their way to the Moon – a giant leap for humanity as we prepare to return to the lunar surface for the first time in over half a century,” said NASA chief Bill Nelson.