Vulcan Centaur rocket

Peregrine Moon Lander Abandons Lunar Landing Mission Amid Uncontrollable Fuel Leak

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Propulsion system anomalies hampered Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon lander, launched on United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket. A propellant leak prevents the lander from orienting itself for solar panel charge, preventing a gentle moon landing. Despite the disaster, the mission crew found a silver lining: Peregrine had 40 hours of fuel, exceeding earlier expectations. Peregrine’s Lunar … Read more

After Launch, Private Peregrine Moon Lander Loses Fuel, Threatening Mission

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The Vulcan Centaur rocket launched Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander, but its propulsion system failed shortly after. The January 8 issue is predicted to derail Peregrine’s moon mission. Astrobotic admitted the propulsion system failure and attempted propellant stabilization. After attempts to ameliorate the problem, the mission prioritized scientific data collection and is considering alternative mission profiles. … Read more