Pittsburgh, PA – October 31, 2023 – Astrobotic announced today the Peregrine lunar lander has arrived safely in Cape Canaveral, Florida. The spacecraft was unloaded at Astrotech facilities where it will be integrated with the United Launch Alliance (ULA)’s Vulcan for launch on December 24, 2023.
“It’s incredible to realize that we are just a short time away from our Peregrine spacecraft beginning its journey to the Moon,” says John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO, “After years of dedication and hard work, we are so close to having our moonshot. We invite you to follow along as Peregrine, with seven countries represented aboard, launches to the Moon and attempts one of the first successful landings of an American spacecraft since Apollo.”
Peregrine is carrying 21 payloads from governments, companies, universities, and NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Peregrine’s full manifest can be found at www.astrobotic.com/lunar-delivery/manifest/.
“As we know, space is a difficult environment. We’re ready for launch after successfully completing a battery of industry-standard acceptance testing so Peregrine has the best chance for mission success,” says Sharad Bhaskaran, Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One Director. “Peregrine and the team are ready. After launch, we will separate from the Vulcan Centaur and establish power and communications with the spacecraft to guide it to the Moon. Then, we will attempt a historic autonomous landing on the lunar surface.”
After Peregrine’s integration with Vulcan, the launch vehicle is slated to lift off from Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex 41 (LC-41). Once Peregrine separates from the ULA rocket, Astrobotic’s Mission Control Center (AMCC) will take control of Peregrine. Astrobotic will then attempt a soft landing at the Gruithuisen Domes and support lunar surface payload operations for payload customers for approximately 10 days.