Pittsburgh-Based Lunar Landing Mission In Jeopardy

PITTSBURGH, PA — Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic's attempt to engineer the first U.S. moon landing in decades is in jeopardy following a technical problem that occurred just hours after the spacecraft took off.

"Unfortunately, it appears the failure within the propulsion system is causing a critical loss of propellant," Astrobotic stated in a news release.

"The team is working to try and stabilize this loss, but given the situation, we have prioritized
maximizing the science and data we can capture. We are currently assessing what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time."

Astrobotic’s Peregrine Mission One blasted off for the moon from the Cape Canaveral Space Station in Florida shortly after 2 a.m. Hopes were that it would land on the moon late in February.

The Peregrine is the first launch under NASA’s commercial lunar payload services initiative. The mission is delivering scientific instruments and payloads to the moon’s Gruithuisen Domes region.