Brief by Shorts91 Newsdesk / 04:35am on 09 Jan 2024,Tuesday Science
America's groundbreaking private lunar mission, featuring the Peregrine Lunar Lander, is on the verge of failure following a "critical loss" of fuel. Launched atop United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, the mission aimed for the Moon but encountered technical challenges post-launch. Astrobotic, the mission organizer, reported issues with spacecraft orientation and a propulsion system malfunction. Despite efforts, a "critical loss of propellant" raises concerns about a controlled lunar touchdown. This setback prompts questions about the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program's viability, despite NASA Administrator Bill Nelson expressing commitment to space exploration with commercial partners.
