The United States is making strides towards returning to the Moon! A momentous event took place on January 8, 2024, with the successful launch of United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket. Onboard this rocket was a lunar lander named Peregrine, developed by commercial company Astrobotic. Notably, Peregrine carries five science payloads from NASA, marking the first time since 1972 that NASA instruments have been transported to the Moon. This launch signifies the beginning of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS), a collaboration with commercial companies to advance lunar exploration.
Historically, NASA’s space missions were primarily conducted by government agencies. However, the CLPS initiative paves the way for groundbreaking collaboration between NASA and commercial entities. By leveraging American companies’ capabilities, NASA can transport vital science and technology payloads to the Moon. Nicola Fox, the Science Mission Directorate associate administrator at NASA, expressed her enthusiasm, stating, “We are so excited to see this vision become a reality. CLPS is an innovative way of leveraging American companies to send important science and technology payloads to the Moon.” This partnership opens up new opportunities for scientific discovery and exploration.
The lunar lander Peregrine will touch down in a region known as Sinus Viscositatis, also referred to as the Bay of Stickiness. This unique location will serve as a base for conducting various scientific experiments. Among the five science payloads aboard Peregrine, each one is designed to collect critical lunar environmental data. The LETS (Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer) will measure radiation, providing valuable insights into the lunar radiation environment. The NIRVSS (Near-Infrared Volatile Spectrometer System) will examine the composition, temperature, and structure of the lunar soil, shedding light on its characteristics. Another payload, the NSS (Neutron Spectrometer System), seeks to identify the presence of water, a precious resource that could support future lunar missions. The PITMS (Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer) will analyze ions in the lunar atmosphere. Lastly, the LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array) will act as a durable, long-term marker to aid in accurate lunar position measurements for years to come.
Scientific Equipment and Beyond
In addition to NASA’s payloads, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander will carry other scientific equipment. Two rovers, one developed by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) and another by Carnegie Mellon University students, will join the mission. The inclusion of these rovers will enable greater exploration capabilities and enhance data collection on the lunar surface. Furthermore, a radiation detector, also provided by the DLR, will contribute to the understanding of radiation levels on the Moon.
However, not all items aboard Peregrine are purely scientific in nature. The mission carries a range of non-scientific payloads, including time capsules, artwork, a collection of short stories, and even a Bitcoin. One particularly controversial inclusion is the transport of cremated human remains. This decision has sparked objections, notably from the Navajo Nation, citing spiritual grounds. In an official statement, Buu Nygren of the Navajo Nation expressed his concerns, stating, “The sacredness of the Moon is deeply embedded in the spirituality and heritage of many Indigenous cultures, including our own.” The controversy led to discussions between Nygren, NASA officials, and the White House, resulting in apologies for the lack of consultation. Despite this controversy, the launch proceeded according to schedule.
The United Launch Alliance’s successful launch of the Vulcan rocket, carrying Astrobotic’s lunar lander Peregrine, has marked the beginning of a new era in lunar exploration. NASA’s collaboration with commercial companies through the CLPS initiative represents a dynamic approach to furthering scientific research and advancing space technology. As the Peregrine lander and its payloads reach the Moon, scientists eagerly await the wealth of data and insights that will be gathered. With each milestone achieved, humanity takes a step closer to unraveling the mysteries of our solar system and beyond. The Moon, once again, becomes a focal point for scientific discovery, showcasing the ingenuity, determination, and collaborative efforts of the United States in space exploration.
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