A US spacecraft, the private mission by Pittsburgh-based space company Astrobotic, known as Peregrine Mission One, has suffered a critical fuel leak. Initially scheduled to land on the lunar surface on 23 February, the spacecraft has faced significant obstacles in its journey. The spacecraft, which set off from Earth last Monday, has been unable to achieve a soft landing on the Moon due to the fuel leak. Unfortunately, despite the company’s efforts, Peregrine will likely burn up in Earth’s atmosphere, according to the moon lander’s builder, Astrobotic.
The ill-fated voyage began when the spacecraft blasted off on a Vulcan rocket built by United Launch Alliance on January 8. Shortly after separating from the rocket, the spaceship experienced an onboard explosion and started leaking fuel. As a result, it became evident that Peregrine would not be able to make a soft lunar touchdown due to the significant loss of propellant. Although the Astrobotic team was able to activate science experiments and gather spaceflight data, Peregrine’s fate is now sealed, as it is on a collision course with Earth. Astrobotic has been providing regular updates on the lander’s status, but the company has stated that Peregrine’s days are numbered due to its trajectory.
The company expressed that it does not believe Peregrine’s re-entry poses safety risks. While the private moon lander’s journey did not culminate in the intended lunar landing, the mission has contributed to valuable research and data gathering, despite the unfortunate outcome.
