The moon mission, although a private effort, is sponsored by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program, which is a vital part of NASA’s initiatives to return astronauts to the moon. This initiative would enable NASA to award contracts to private companies for transporting scientific and other equipment to the moon’s surface.
“We believe this is a great approach to leverage entrepreneurship and innovation in America’s industrial base,” stated Joel Kearns, deputy assistant administrator for NASA’s Science Mission Directorate.
Kearns mentioned that partnering with private providers will allow NASA to launch more frequent and cost-effective missions to the moon.
The mission is the Peregrine lander, a part of the Commercial Monthly Payload Service Program. The mission aims to bring five NASA instruments to the moon, including instruments to measure the radiation environment on the lunar surface and spectrometers to study the abundance of substances such as hydrogen.
The mission will also carry several other non-scientific items, including payloads from Elysium Space and Celestis, which will provide a “space burial” for cremated remains to orbit or the moon.
Astrobotic’s involvement in Celestis and Elysium Space has caused controversy. Navajo President Boo Nygren expressed in a letter to NASA and the U.S. Department of Transportation last month that leaving human remains on the moon would be a “grave desecration” of a celestial body sacred to many Native cultures.
During a press conference on Friday, Astrobotic CEO John Thornton stated that he was “disappointed” that the concerns were not raised earlier, but the company was committed to “let’s do the right thing.” He added, “I hope we can find a good path forward with the Navajo Nation.”
If the Peregrine mission launches as planned on Monday, the lander will attempt to land on the moon on February 23rd in an area known as the sticky cavewhere ancient lava once flowed.
In a pre-launch briefing, Thornton stated that the Peregrine mission is a significant step for the U.S. commercial space industry. He specifically mentioned that this flight could usher in a new era of space technology and innovation for Astrobotics and the city of Pittsburgh.
“We are bringing a new cosmic state online,” he said. “If Pittsburgh can land on the moon, Pittsburgh can do anything.”
Source: www.nbcnews.com
