CAPE CANAVERAL, FLA. – The much-anticipated U.S. moon landing attempt, the first in over 50 years, is facing a serious setback as a private company’s spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after its Monday launch. Astrobotic Technology, based in Pittsburgh, encountered a failure in the propulsion system, leading to a significant loss of fuel, casting doubt on the planned moon landing set for February 23. The company is now assessing alternative mission profiles while managing the crisis that threatens the spacecraft’s ability to softly land on the moon.
The issue arose approximately seven hours after the liftoff from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, where Astrobotic’s lander, Peregrine, was launched atop United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. The rocket’s upper stage successfully freed the lander on a trajectory toward the moon, but the propulsion system problem jeopardizes its lunar descent.
Astrobotic, vying to be the first private business to achieve a successful moon landing, had received millions from NASA for the lunar lander project. The space agency aims to use privately owned landers to scout the moon before astronauts arrive and deliver tech, science experiments, and other cargo for various entities.
Late Monday, Astrobotic released a photo showing a disturbance in a section of thermal insulation, aligning with the identified problem. The company had secured a $108 million contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander and has additional projects in the pipeline.
NASA acknowledged the added risk associated with using private companies for lunar deliveries, emphasizing that success and setbacks are opportunities to learn and grow. The last U.S. moon landing mission occurred in December 1972, and the Artemis program, NASA’s initiative to return astronauts to the moon, is underway.
While Astrobotic’s setback poses a significant challenge, another lunar lander from a Houston-based company is scheduled to launch next month. The independent commission appointed by Maine Gov. Janet Mills is investigating all aspects of the incident, focusing on potential warning signs related to the shooter’s deteriorating mental health that may have been overlooked.
The space agency’s commitment to utilizing private companies for lunar deliveries is seen as a cost-effective and quicker approach, but it comes with added risks. The unfolding situation highlights the complex nature of space exploration and the continuous need for adaptation and improvement.