The initial American mission to land on the moon in over 50 years seemed to be in jeopardy when a privately-owned spacecraft experienced a significant fuel leak shortly after its launch on Monday.

The team at Astrobotic Technology, located in Pittsburgh, successfully positioned their lander to face the sun, allowing the solar panel to gather sunlight and recharge the battery. Meanwhile, a specialized team evaluated the situation of a reported malfunction in the propulsion system.

Unfortunately, it was soon evident that there was a significant shortage of fuel, making it even less likely that the planned moon landing on Feb. 23 would be successful.

On Monday evening, the company announced that the leak was still ongoing and predicted that the lander would begin experiencing a decline in solar power within approximately 40 hours.

The issue was documented approximately seven hours following the early morning launch from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station on Monday. Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander was lifted into space by United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, setting it on a lengthy and indirect trajectory towards the moon.

The company stated that a problem with the propulsion system could jeopardize the spacecraft’s ability to safely land on the moon. The lander is equipped with engines and thrusters for maneuvering during both the journey to the moon and the descent onto its surface.

Astrobotic published an image captured by a camera attached to a lander, revealing a “disruption” in the thermal insulation of a specific section. The company stated that this is consistent with what is currently understood about the issue.

Astrobotic had the goal of becoming the initial private company to achieve a successful landing on the moon, a feat that has only been accomplished by four countries thus far. A second lunar lander, developed by a company in Houston, is set to launch in the upcoming month. NASA provided both companies with millions of dollars to construct and operate their own lunar landing vehicles.

The agency responsible for space exploration desires privately owned landers to survey the area prior to the arrival of astronauts. These landers will also transport technology and scientific experiments for the space agency, other nations, and universities, as well as miscellaneous items for other clients. Astrobotic’s agreement with NASA for the Peregrine lander was valued at $108 million and they have additional projects in progress.

Prior to the flight, Joel Kearns, the deputy associate administrator for exploration at NASA, acknowledged that utilizing private companies for moon deliveries may be more cost-effective and efficient compared to the traditional government approach, but it also comes with added risk. He emphasized that NASA is prepared to take on that risk, stating on Monday: “Every success and setback is a chance to gain knowledge and develop.”

The most recent moon-landing mission by the U.S. took place in December 1972. Astronauts Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt of Apollo 17 were the 11th and 12th individuals to step foot on the moon, marking the end of a significant period that has been recognized as the height of NASA’s achievements.

The newly launched Artemis program by the space agency aims to send astronauts back to the moon’s surface in the coming years. The initial mission will involve a fly-around of the moon with four astronauts, potentially happening before the end of this year.

Highlighting Monday’s moonshot was the long-delayed initial test flight of the Vulcan rocket. The 202-foot (61-meter) rocket is essentially an upgraded version of ULA’s hugely successful workhorse Atlas V, which is being phased out along with the company’s Delta IV. Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan’s two main engines.

The ULA announced that the lander had achieved success after it separated from the upper stage of the rocket, which occurred almost an hour into the flight. However, the spacecraft’s propulsion system experienced a malfunction and was unable to properly orient the solar panel towards the sun.

For decades, landing on the moon has been a combination of successes and failures. During the 1960s and 70s, both the Soviet Union and the U.S. achieved multiple successful moon landings before taking a break. In 2013, China and in 2023, India became part of the exclusive group. However, in 2019, a Russian lander and a private Japanese company’s lander crashed into the moon. Additionally, an Israeli nonprofit’s lander also crashed last year.

In the upcoming month, SpaceX will be responsible for launching a lander built by Intuitive Machines. The Nova-C lander, created by the Houston-based company, will take a shorter one-week path to reach the moon.

Astrobotic not only conducted flying missions for NASA, but also expanded into the field of cargo transportation by preparing the Peregrine lander, which stands at 6 feet tall (1.9 meters). The lander carried a variety of items, such as a piece of rock from Mount Everest, miniature cars from Mexico, and the ashes and DNA of late space enthusiasts, such as Gene Roddenberry, the creator of “Star Trek,” and Arthur C. Clarke, a science fiction writer.

The Navajo Nation requested to postpone the launch due to the presence of human remains, citing it as a disrespectful act towards a sacred celestial object in Native American culture. Astrobotic’s CEO, John Thornton, acknowledged the objections raised in December but stated that he will work towards finding a mutually agreeable solution with the Navajo for upcoming missions.

A statement from Celestis, a company that purchased space on the lander, stated that the moon does not belong to any specific culture or religion and therefore should not have the power to veto a mission. Additional remains are on the rocket’s upper stage, which has been propelled into a constant orbit around the sun, extending as far as Mars.

The cost of transporting goods on the Peregrine spacecraft ranged from hundreds of dollars to $1.2 million per kilogram (2.2 pounds), which was not sufficient for Astrobotic to make a profit. However, according to Thornton, making a profit was not the main goal for the first flight.

“Many individuals have placed their aspirations and aspirations on this flight,” stated Thornton a few days before the scheduled departure.

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The Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Science and Educational Media Group provides support to the Associated Press Health and Science Department. The AP is solely responsible for all of its content.

Source: wral.com