The first mission under NASA's CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) plan, which began in 2024, was the launch of five payloads to the Moon atop Astrobotic's Peregrine lander. The director of the mission is Dr. Sharad Bhaskaran, an Indian national. An Unmanned Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket was used for the launch, which occurred from Florida's Cape Canaveral. Measurements of radiation and gases surrounding the lander, evaluation of the lunar exosphere, and identification of water molecules on the Moon are the primary goals of the NASA payloads aboard Peregrine One.
Sinus Viscositatis, a lunar feature close to the Gruithuisen Domes that may have Moon water, is the anticipated landing site for the Peregrine lander on February 23. Astrobotic is one of fourteen companies that can participate in NASA's Commercial Lunar Prospective Supply (CLPS) program, which will help fund the Artemis program's plans for future manned lunar flights by establishing a commercial sector for lunar research, exploration, and technological development.
Currently residing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Bhaskaran is listed as the Mission Director at Astrobotic Technology Inc. on his Linkedin page. Specifically, he is in charge of the engineering group working on a commercial robotic lunar lander that will carry cargo to the moon's surface. After 25 years at Lockheed Martin, he decided to join Astrobotic. Following his time at Lockheed Martin, he founded Pivotal Win, a consulting firm.
He attended UT Austin and earned a degree in mechanical engineering.
Despite its failure, Israel's Space IL attempted the first private lunar trip in April 2019. Several significant milestones have been achieved by this second private lunar mission, which is being headed by Sharad Bhaskaran. This is the first American lunar landing since Apollo 17, the last mission of the Apollo program, more than half a century ago. On top of that, the Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative is making its debut with this mission. This mission includes the Peregrine lander, which will be transported on the first launch of the Vulcan Centaur rocket by the United Launch Alliance (ULA).
Examining the lunar exosphere, temperature properties, regolith hydrogen content, magnetic fields, and radiation environment are all part of the mission's scientific objectives. Its evaluation of state-of-the-art solar panels is another objective. Peregrine Mission 1 is a collaboration between Astrobotic, a private company that provides launch and landing services, and NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The spacecraft, which is around 1.9 meters tall and 2.5 meters wide, contains multiple modules that are specifically designed to accomplish these scientific goals.
Our knowledge of how the sun's rays interact with the lunar surface can be improved with these measurements.
In April 2019, Israel's Space IL attempted the first private lunar expedition; however, their endeavor was not entirely successful. Aside from being the second private lunar trip, this one will also be the first American lunar landing in over half a century, since Apollo 17, the last mission of NASA's Apollo program, took place.
United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket will carry the Peregrine lander on its first voyage, marking the first launch under Nasa's Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative.
Comentarios