Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander has experienced a technical problem with the propulsion system after its launch that could jeopardize the first US soft lunar landing in over 50 years, Reuters reports.
Launched by United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket, the lander faced a propulsion anomaly that affected its sun-facing orientation, threatening its ability to soft-land on the moon on Feb. 23.
If Astrobotic can overcome the setback, it would mark the first US soft lunar landing since 1972 and the first-ever lunar landing by a private company. The mission is part of NASA’s Artemis program, with small landers like Peregrine paving the way for future human missions to the moon.
The incident follows the debut launch of Vulcan, a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed Martin, its successful launch was one of two crucial certification flights required by the US Space Force before it can fly missions for the Pentagon.
