NASA’s First US Private Robotic Artemis Flight Under Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative

NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative took a significant leap forward with the launch of Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander on United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan rocket from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. The lander, carrying NASA scientific instruments, embarked on a 46-day journey to the lunar surface.

Once on the Moon, NASA instruments will study the lunar exosphere, thermal properties of the lunar regolith, hydrogen abundances in the soil, and conduct radiation environment monitoring. These five NASA science and research payloads will help NASA better understand planetary processes and evolution, search for evidence of water and other resources, and support long-term, sustainable human exploration.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressed his excitement, stating, “The first CLPS launch has sent payloads on their way to the Moon – a giant leap for humanity as we prepare to return to the lunar surface for the first time in over half a century.” He further added, “These high-risk missions will not only conduct new science at the Moon, but they are supporting a growing commercial space economy while showing the strength of American technology and innovation.”

For this CLPS flight, NASA research includes:

1. Laser Retroreflector Array: A collection of retro-reflectors mounted to the lander to precisely determine the lander’s position using laser light from other orbiting and landing spacecrafts.
2. Neutron Spectrometer System: This system will search for indicators of water near the lunar surface by detecting hydrogen-bearing materials and determining bulk properties of the regolith.
3. Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer: This radiation sensor will collect information about the lunar radiation environment and any solar events that might occur during the mission.
4. Near InfraRed Volatiles Spectrometer System: This system will measure surface hydration and volatiles, detect certain minerals using spectroscopy, and map surface temperature and changes at the landing site.
5. Peregrine Ion-Trap Mass Spectrometer: This instrument will study the lunar exosphere and any gases present after descent and landing and throughout the lunar day to understand the release and movement of volatiles.

Peregrine is scheduled to land on the Moon on Friday, Feb. 23, and will spend approximately 10 days gathering valuable scientific data, studying Earth’s nearest neighbor, and paving the way for the first woman and first person of color to explore the Moon under Artemis.

Learn more about NASA’s CLPS initiative at: [NASA’s CLPS website link]

-end-

[NASA Media Contact Information]

NASA’s CLPS initiative aims to advance scientific knowledge, support commercial space economy growth, and prepare for long-term, sustainable human exploration of the Moon. The first US private robotic Artemis flight marks a significant milestone in this endeavor.