- A commercial US firm launched a spacecraft carrying NASA sensors with the goal of becoming the first US spacecraft to land on the Moon in well than 50 years.
- This mission is an important part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, which integrates private sector capabilities into the Artemis Programme.
About
- The Initiative for Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS)
- At least 14 firms have been contracted to carry payloads to the Moon as part of NASA’s engagement with the private sector under the CLPS effort.
- This collaboration intends to create a business and technological environment for lunar exploration in the commercial space sector.
- The Peregrine lander and the Vulcan rocket, both created by private US space corporations, are used in the mission.
Payloads and objectives
- Five NASA Payloads: The Peregrine lander is equipped with five NASA payloads for diverse exploratory purposes, including water discovery.
- Laser Retroreflector Array: One payload will be permanently installed on the Moon’s surface for accuracy distance measurements.
- Other payloads are projected to stay operational for 10 days after landing.
Return to the Moon in Historical Context
- The last US spacecraft to land on the Moon occurred in December 1972, during the Apollo 17 mission.
- Renewed Interest in Lunar Exploration: The United States revived its lunar exploration activities in the 1990s and publicly promised to returning in 2018.
- The Artemis Program’s goals are to create a permanent base on the Moon, allowing for prolonged human and robotic stays for significant exploration and scientific study.
Source: https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-sci-tech/private-us-spacecraft-land-moon-9100677/