The NASA-backed Peregrine One moon lander, built by Astrobotic, has encountered a technical glitch and is now returning to Earth.
Astrobotic anticipates that the spacecraft will likely burn up in the atmosphere in the next few days.
The mission, which aimed to land the first American-made spacecraft on the Moon in over 50 years, was part of NASA’s commercial lunar payload services initiative.
“Astrobotic Technology, the company that developed the Peregrine lander under a $108 million contract with NASA, revealed Sunday that it made the decision to dispose of the spacecraft by allowing it to disintegrate midair while plunging back toward Earth,” CNN reported.
Watch the Vulcan Centaur rocket igniting its engines to carry the lunar lander away from Earth on an epic journey to the Moon. This incredible launch scene shows the rocket soaring skyward on pillars of fire and smoke, propelling the spacecraft faster and faster until it breaks… pic.twitter.com/L0q8VPkB2e
— ScienceSeeker (@marStarship1) January 11, 2024
“The team is currently assessing options and we will update as soon as we are able,” the company stated.
NASA and other space companies are working to find the most safe and responsible way to conclude the mission.
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