In the silent hours of Christmas Eve this year, a spaceship is set to launch to where the moon resides, before the colorful gift wrapping begins strutting its charm and the scent of gingerbread fills the air. The spacecraft is known as the Peregrine Lunar Lander, named after the swiftest bird on Earth, the peregrine falcon. If all unfolds as planned, the robotic bird-like spacecraft will soar through the galaxy and make its way toward the moon’s gravitational pull, meticulously descending into orbit before landing on a spot known as the Bay of Stickiness, or Sinus Viscositatis, where ancient lunar lava flows lie.
It’s important to note that this mission marks a momentous occasion as it will be the first to launch under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The initiative was created as a means for the agency to successfully transport payloads to the moon without the need to construct all the necessary spacecraft for the journey. For this particular mission, the company Astrobiotic is responsible for the Peregrine lander and NASA is funding various payloads to be included.
And when it comes to the rocket, another significant milestone is at hand. The Peregrine will blast off aboard the maiden flight of the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket. This will be a major feat since Vulcan Centaur is designed with the capability to launch a substantial amount of items to space, among other qualities.
The Peregrine mission, scheduled for takeoff on December 24th, will carry a total of five NASA-sponsored payloads to the lunar surface. One of these payloads is the “Peregrine ion trap mass spectrometer” or PITMS. This instrument aims to investigate the lunar exosphere by harnessing the power of mass spectrometry, which allows scientists to measure the mass-to-charge ratio of charged particles present around the moon.
Additionally, the mission will transport a Neutron Spectrometer System (NSS) to measure neutrons and analyze the presence of hydrogen and soil hydration. The Lunar Retroreflector Array (LRA), equipped with eight retroreflectors, is intended to facilitate precision laser ranging for spacecraft in orbit around the moon. Moreover, Peregrine will carry other instruments such as the Near-Infrared Volatiles Spectrometer System (NIRVSS) and the Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer (LETS), catering to a wide range of scientific objectives.
But it’s not just NASA’s payloads onboard. There are 15 additional components being sent to the moon, including fun commemorative items and scientific experiments from various nations. This mission will bring seven nations to the surface of the moon, six of which have not touched the lunar surface before.
As the team’s detailed plans come into focus, there is anticipation surrounding the spacecraft’s journey from Earth to the moon. The projected liftoff is set for around 1:50 a.m. ET on Dec. 24, with contingent dates for the subsequent days in case of adverse weather conditions. If the launch remains on schedule, the landing on the lunar surface is expected to occur on Jan. 25 of next year. Intriguingly, landing on the moon is a monumental challenge that has yet to be accomplished by a private company.
After launch, the launch vehicle and spacecraft will perform a maneuver called a translunar injection, aiming to intercept the orbit of the moon. Once in lunar orbit, the scientific significance of this mission becomes more pronounced. The landing site, known as “Gruithuisen Domes,” is a focus of interest for scientists, representing past volcanic activity on the moon.
During a briefing on Nov. 29, representatives from the companies and NASA gathered to discuss the Peregrine payloads and the various objectives they aim to fulfill. This endeavor aligns with NASA’s goal to further our understanding of the moon and its environment. The insights and knowledge gained from the mission will not only contribute to lunar exploration but may also inform future plans for human expansion into our celestial neighborhood.
