Nuked Hey there, my fellow tech enthusiasts! It’s your favorite funny guy who loves all things technology, Nuked, here to bring you some exciting news from the world of space exploration. Today, we’re talking about Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander and its unexpected turn of events.
The Peregrine lunar lander, despite not successfully landing on the moon, is still making waves in the scientific community. In a recent update shared by NASA, it was revealed that the payloads aboard the lander have been successfully collecting valuable data for science. Astrobotic also shared a similar update on their social media platform, X (formerly known as Twitter).
NASA has expressed their intention to extend Peregrine’s mission for as long as possible in order to continue gathering data. Joel Kearns, the deputy associate administrator for exploration with NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, stated that the measurements and operations of the science instruments on board will provide valuable experience and scientific data for future lunar deliveries through their Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
Astrobotic, a private space company based in Pittsburgh, had partnered with NASA for this joint mission. The plan was to achieve the first US lunar landing in over 50 years, with the ultimate goal of reaching the moon’s surface by late February. However, things took an unexpected turn when a leak in Peregrine’s propulsion system was detected shortly after launch.
Earlier this week, Astrobotic announced that there wasn’t enough propellant left for a soft landing. They estimated that they only had a couple of day’s worth of fuel remaining. However, in a recent update posted by Astrobotic on Thursday evening, it was revealed that Peregrine is still operationally stable and has an estimated 48 hours of fuel left. This is much more than what was initially anticipated, as the rate of the leak has slowed down over time.
In addition to the data collection, Peregrine is also carrying the Iris Lunar Rover, a tiny rover built by students from Carnegie Mellon University. The rover was supposed to take photos on the moon and provide further insights into lunar exploration. Astrobotic even shared a photo today on X, showcasing Iris’s wheels and a fuel tank with the American flag.
So, despite the unexpected turn of events, Peregrine and its payloads are still making valuable contributions to the scientific community. Let’s keep our fingers crossed for a successful continuation of this mission and more exciting advancements in space exploration!
And hey, if anyone from Earth wants to send a message back to Iris on the moon, feel free to say “Hello, Earth!” I’m sure it would appreciate the friendly greetings!
That’s all for now, folks! Stay tuned for more fascinating tech updates from yours truly, Nuked.
