Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania – The Peregrine lunar lander, after experiencing an anomaly shortly after launch, is expected to burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, according to an update from space logistics company Astrobotic. The spacecraft, which has been leaking propellant since the incident, will likely meet its final resting place back on Earth. Astrobotic plans to hold a press conference with NASA to discuss the fate of the lander.
Despite initial concerns, the Peregrine lander has managed to survive longer than expected since the propellant leak was detected on January 8. Astrobotic has been providing constant status updates as the situation unfolded. It was determined that a soft landing on the moon’s surface was not possible, leaving uncertainty regarding where the lander would ultimately end up. While the spacecraft did reach lunar distance, traveling 238,000 miles away from Earth on Friday and 242,000 miles on Saturday, it did not encounter anything at its destination due to the moon’s current position in its orbit.
Originally, the plan was for Peregrine to rendezvous with the moon about 15 days after launch, enabling it to transition from Earth orbit to lunar orbit. However, with only six days elapsed and a dwindling fuel supply, the possibility of continuing for another nine days is slim. Astrobotic acknowledged that the propellant leak has made trajectory predictions more challenging, and their latest assessment indicates that the spacecraft is now on a path towards Earth, where it is expected to burn up upon reentry into the atmosphere.
The outcome of the Peregrine Mission One aligns with the known risks associated with moon landings, which have always been notoriously difficult. This mission was a significant milestone as the first commercial one undertaken through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Prior to the launch, Chris Culbert, NASA’s CLPS Program Manager, emphasized the uncertain nature of the mission’s success.
The fate of the Peregrine lunar lander serves as a reminder of the inherent risks and challenges faced in space exploration. Despite the setbacks, the ongoing efforts by both government and commercial entities to reach the moon and beyond illustrate the unwavering determination to expand our understanding of the universe. As the space industry continues to evolve, each mission provides valuable lessons and contributes to the progress of human space exploration.