Pittsburgh, we have departure for liftoff.
North Side-based Astrobotic Technologies Inc. has officially shipped off its Peregrine Lander as part of the spacecraft's eventual journey to the moon. That launch is now tentatively set for the first quarter of 2023 when Peregrine will take off on board United Launch Alliance’s (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida.
"A few years ago, we were an 18-person team with a dream," John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic, said in a prepared statement. "Today, Astrobotic’s 200+ staff and our payload customers can celebrate as our Peregrine lander continues its historic mission to lead America back to the Moon for the first time in 50 years."
But before it can go to the moon — or even Florida for that matter — Peregrine must be subject to acceptance testing, which goes beyond the types of simulated scenarios it experienced during its construction by Astrobotic employees in Pittsburgh. This will include testing mass properties, conducting Sine vibrations and vibro-acoustics testing, various forms of electrostatic testing as well as thermal vacuum testing with Peregrine set in its launch configuration.
"My personal favorite is acoustics testing," Alivia Chapla, director of marketing and communications at Astrobotic, said in an email statement to Pittsburgh Inno. "We surround the entire spacecraft with speakers and blast it with sound to ensure it can survive launch."
Chapla said she was unable to disclose other specific details about Peregrine's trip to Florida — like where this acceptance testing is being conducted or how Peregrine is physically being sent to Cape Canaveral — but noted the journey is sponsored by international logistics and shipping company DHL.
Eventually and prior to launch, however, Astrobotic will deliver Peregrine to Aerotech Inc., a Pittsburgh-based advanced motion and automation company, for final integration with ULA's rocket. Peregrine will be fixed near the top of the rocket in Vulcan Centaur's payload fairing.
Upon entering space, Peregrine will break away from ULA's rocket to begin its descent to the moon, which will be controlled by Astrobotic's Mission Control Center (AMCC) within its Pittsburgh headquarters. After the touchdown, AMCC will then support various lunar surface science operations with Peregrine's onboard equipment and its payload.
Peregrine is set to be the first commercial lunar lander to soft-land on the moon. Its payloads include those from NASA as well as those from companies and organizations, like the Iris Rover from Carnegie Mellon University.
