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Astrobotic Technology Continues Moon Mission Amid Past Failures
Even though the first U.S. commercial lunar lander faced failure in space, Astrobotic Technology is resolute in moving forward with its next moon mission scheduled for launch by the end of this year. The hardware buildup for the Astrobotic Griffin Mission One lander can now be observed at the Pittsburgh-based private firm and is visible from the adjoining Moonshot Museum. The forthcoming moon lander, named Griffin, stands as the largest lunar lander since the Apollo lunar module. This upcoming flight of Griffin holds significance not just for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative but also acts as a crucial link to NASA’s Artemis Program of human exploration on the moon.
The Griffin Spacecraft and VIPER
The Griffin spacecraft is set to be launched atop a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket and will transport a groundbreaking Artemis lunar rover, the Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover (VIPER). VIPER is anticipated to land near the moon’s south pole to embark on a 100-day mission at Mons Mouton, a flat-topped mountain situated near the western rim of the Nobile Crater. This robotic rover is poised to provide invaluable insights into the origin and distribution of water ice on the moon, crucial information for assessing the feasibility of harvesting lunar resources to support human exploration on the moon.
Challenges Faced by Astrobotic
Despite setbacks such as the loss of the Peregrine Mission One lunar lander, amounting to approximately $100 million, Astrobotic CEO John Thornton remains optimistic about the future. The Peregrine mission encountered complications shortly after liftoff, with a propulsion issue leading to its controlled re-entry into the South Pacific ocean. Notwithstanding the challenges, Thornton sees promise in NASA’s CLPS model and views the recent successful landing of Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus spacecraft on the moon as a step forward for the industry as a whole.
Looking Ahead
As Astrobotic moves forward with its Griffin Mission, lessons learned from past failures are shaping future endeavors. With a commitment to Space exploration and lunar missions, Astrobotic remains dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge and advancement in space technology. “Peregrine has flown so Griffin may land. Ad luna per aspera,” Astrobotic concludes, symbolizing resilience and determination in the face of challenges.
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