The US company Astrobotic had high hopes for its Peregrine spacecraft, aiming to deliver five NASA instruments to the Moon’s surface and become the first American mission in half a century to successfully land. However, a major propellant leak shortly after launch forced Astrobotic to make the difficult decision to bring the mission to a controlled destruction. Despite this setback, the engineers at Astrobotic were able to diagnose the issue, prolong the life of the lander, and gather valuable data during its extended mission.
The fault was traced back to a leaking propellant from a ruptured oxidizer tank, which resulted in the craft losing stable pointing and power supply. Despite the challenges, the Astrobotic team successfully restored stable pointing by working the thrusters on Peregrine, albeit at the cost of depleting the oxidizer even further. However, this allowed the payloads onboard to be activated and some to collect data, including the Peregrine Ion Trap Mass Spectrometer (PITMS) developed by the UK’s Open University and RAL Space.
While the loss of the Peregrine mission is disappointing, it provides valuable lessons for future lunar ventures. Astrobotic is part of a new private-public partnership with NASA, alongside Intuitive Machines and Firefly, to send landers to the Moon. This partnership aims to establish regular commercial missions to the lunar surface, paving the way for future exploration and potential resource utilization.
Astrobotic has already secured another opportunity later this year to land NASA’s rover, Viper, on the Moon. Intuitive Machines is also scheduled to launch its first lunar mission next month. These missions, along with Japan’s upcoming landing attempt, demonstrate the growing interest and investments in lunar exploration.
The failure and subsequent troubleshooting of the Peregrine mission highlight the challenges and risks associated with space exploration. It serves as a reminder that even with careful planning and extensive testing, unforeseen issues can arise. However, the perseverance and ingenuity of the Astrobotic team allowed them to make the most out of a difficult situation.
Moving forward, it is crucial for future missions to continue prioritizing safety, redundancy, and robust engineering. Regular assessment and improvement of spacecraft systems, especially propulsion and fuel storage, can help mitigate risks and increase the chances of mission success. Additionally, collaborations between government agencies and private companies, as exemplified by the partnership between Astrobotic and NASA, can foster innovation and accelerate advancements in space technology.
The re-entry of Peregrine over the Pacific Ocean poses limited risks, given its controlled destruction and disposal. However, it serves as a reminder of the importance of responsible space debris management. As the number of satellites, rockets, and other space assets continues to increase, it becomes crucial to ensure proper disposal and minimize the risk of collisions in space.
Overall, while the Peregrine mission did not achieve its primary objective, it has provided valuable insights and propelled the development of upcoming lunar missions. Astrobotic’s determination and ability to salvage the situation demonstrate the resilience and progress of the commercial space industry. With continued advancements in technology and collaboration, humanity’s exploration of the Moon and beyond is poised for exciting and transformative discoveries.
