Launch at 02:18 EST (07:18 UTC) on Monday, 7 January, Marks Inaugural Flight of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services. In a historic leap for space exploration, the United States is set to return to the Moon in just a few hours, with the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket scheduled to launch at 02:18 EST (07:18 UTC) on Monday, 7 January. This mission will carry a lunar lander named Peregrine, courtesy of commercial company Astrobotic.
Aboard the Peregrine lander are five science payloads from NASA, representing the first NASA instruments to be transported to the Moon since the Apollo era concluded in 1972, over five decades ago. The launch heralds the commencement of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), a groundbreaking collaboration with commercial entities to ferry science instruments and test space exploration technology.
Nicola Fox, the Science Mission Directorate associate administrator of NASA, expressed her excitement, stating, “We are so excited to see this vision become a reality. CLPS is an innovative way of leveraging American companies to send important science and technology payloads to the Moon.”
“The Moon is a rich destination for scientific discovery. Studying and sampling the lunar environment will help NASA unravel some of the greatest mysteries of our solar system for the benefit of all,” she added.
The Destination and Payloads
Peregrine is set to land in Sinus Viscositatis, also known as the Bay of Stickiness. The five science payloads aboard the lander are designed to sample and test a range of lunar environmental characteristics.
•LETS (Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer): To measure radiation.
•NIRVSS (Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System): To study the composition, temperature, and structure of lunar soil.
•NSS (Neutron Spectrometer System): To search for water.
•PITMS (Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer): To study ions in the lunar atmosphere.
•LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array): To act as a permanent location marker assisting in measuring the Moon’s position for many years into the future.
Additional Scientific Equipment
In addition to NASA’s payloads, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander will transport scientific equipment, including two rovers, one from the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and one from Carnegie Mellon University students. Also included is a radiation detector from DLR.
Controversial Inclusions
However, the mission is not without controversy. Besides the scientific payloads, the lander will carry non-scientific items, sparking concerns and objections. These include time capsules, artwork, a collection of short stories, a Bitcoin, and cremated human remains.
The inclusion of human ashes has stirred controversy, particularly with the Navajo Nation, which objects on spiritual grounds. Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation stated, “The placement of human remains on the Moon is a profound desecration of this celestial body revered by our people.”
Despite the controversy, the launch is set to proceed as scheduled. NASA and White House officials have met with Navajo Nation representatives to apologize for the lack of consultation, acknowledging the importance of respecting past agreements and promises.
Follow the Launch Live
For those eager to witness this historic event, the launch can be watched live on NASA’s official YouTube channel or NASA Plus website. The mission represents a significant step forward in lunar exploration and the collaboration between governmental and commercial entities in advancing scientific understanding and exploration beyond Earth.
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