Astrobotic – Spaceflight Now

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander ends mission in fiery reentry

January 19, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The first U.S. lander bound for the Moon since 1972 burned up in Earth’s atmosphere on Thursday. The unfortunate ending for Astrobotic’s spacecraft was deemed the most responsible choice given its hopes of reaching the Moon were dashed less than a day after it launched.

Peregrine lander suffers propulsion ‘anomaly,’ Moon landing seemingly unlikely

January 8, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The first commercially-built lunar lander from the U.S. ran into trouble just hours after launching on board United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) inaugural Vulcan rocket. A propulsion system failure appears to have put to an end Astrorobotics plans to land its Peregrine craft on the moon.

ULA marks success with the inaugural mission of its Vulcan rocket launching a Moon-bound robotic lander

January 8, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The launch of the methalox fueled rocket marks the beginning of a new chapter for the launch company. The mission launched the first American-made lunar lander in more than 50 years.

NASA discusses Moon-bound science as ULA’s Vulcan rocket gets go ahead for Jan. 8 launch

January 5, 2024 Will Robinson-Smith

The mission will be a first for both ULA’s Vulcan rocket as well as Astrobotic’s lunar lander, Peregrine. Liftoff is set for Monday, Jan. 8 at 2:18 am EST (0718 UTC).

ULA stacks Vulcan rocket for the first time ahead of Jan. 8 debut launch

December 21, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The fully-integrated Vulcan rocket stands 202 feet (61.6 meters) tall. ULA is aiming to launch the rocket and its payload, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander, on Jan. 8, 2024 at 2:18 a.m. EST (0718 UTC).

ULA’s first mission with its Vulcan rocket slides to January launch window

December 10, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The debut of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket is slipping from late December into early January, according to the company’s president and CEO, Tory Bruno. In a social media post on Sunday, Bruno said the planned Dec. 24 launch date was no longer a viable option.

Three robotic missions target Moon landings over one week in January

December 6, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

In a blend of interesting circumstances and happenstance, two private companies and Japan’s space agency are all poised to land on the Moon in the back half of January 2024.

Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander arrives in Florida ahead of Christmas Eve Moon-bound launch

November 1, 2023 Will Robinson-Smith

The first payload teed up for NASA’s industry-led missions to the Moon has arrived in Florida. Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander was unpacked inside a clean room on the Space Coast after leaving the company’s facilities in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, on Friday.

ULA test-fires first Vulcan rocket at Cape Canaveral

June 7, 2023 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance’s first Vulcan Centaur rocket completed a critical test-firing of its Blue Origin-built BE-4 main engines Wednesday night, clearing one of two remaining technical hurdles before the launcher is cleared for its inaugural flight later this year.

ULA delays Vulcan test-firing to troubleshoot engine ignition system

May 26, 2023 Stephen Clark

United Launch Alliance called off a test-firing of the company’s first flight-rated Vulcan Centaur rocket at Cape Canaveral Thursday to troubleshoot a problem with the booster’s engine ignition system.