The Peregrine Lunar Lander is a pioneering robotic lunar lander developed by Astrobotic Technology as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Designed to deliver payloads to the Moon’s surface, Peregrine is one of the first commercially developed lunar landers, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. This mission aims to advance scientific research, test new technologies, and pave the way for future human exploration.

Peregrine stands out as one of the first commercially developed lunar landers, marking a historic milestone in spaceflight. Peregrine is the result of private industry innovation, with multiple international partners contributing to its mission objectives. By facilitating affordable lunar access, the lander is poised to accelerate scientific research, test groundbreaking technologies, and enable future human exploration of the Moon. As part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon, the Peregrine lander serves as a critical precursor mission by delivering essential payloads that will enhance our understanding of the lunar environment. These payloads will support lunar resource utilization, navigation, and scientific discovery, helps in the foundation for long-term lunar exploration. The mission is expected to provide critical data on the Moon’s surface composition, radiation environment, and potential landing sites for future human missions.

Through its modular and scalable design, Peregrine has been developed to accommodate diverse payloads from a variety of customers, including government agencies, universities, and commercial entities. The lander’s ability to carry multiple payloads on a single mission opens new opportunities for lunar science, technology testing, and commercial activities, such as resource prospecting and lunar surface operations. Peregrine symbolizes a new era of lunar exploration, where commercial spaceflight plays an increasingly major role in humanity’s return to the Moon. By pioneering cost-efficient, high-frequency lunar deliveries, Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lander is reshaping space exploration, bringing the vision of a sustained lunar economy.

Key Highlights

Developed by Astrobotic Technology in Collaboration with NASA

The Peregrine Lunar Lander is the flagship lunar lander developed by Astrobotic Technology, a Pittsburgh-based space robotics company specializing in lunar delivery and surface operations. This project is being executed in collaboration with NASA, as part of the agency’s effort to partner with commercial space companies for low-cost, high-efficiency lunar exploration. Astrobotic’s expertise in precision landing and lunar logistics has been instrumental in designing Peregrine to meet the growing demands of both scientific and commercial lunar missions.

Part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Initiative

Peregrine is one of the first landers selected under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to enable frequent and cost-effective lunar deliveries through commercial providers. This initiative is a cornerstone of NASA’s Artemis program, ensuring that key technologies, scientific instruments, and resource prospecting experiments are placed on the Moon before human missions. By leveraging private industry innovation, CLPS reduces costs and accelerates the timeline for lunar exploration.

Designed to Carry Scientific Instruments and Commercial Payloads

The Peregrine lander has been designed to transport a variety of payloads, including scientific instruments, technology demonstrators, and commercial experiments. The lander features a modular payload bay, capable of accommodating up to 90 kg of payload mass, with provisions for multiple customers on a single mission. This flexible architecture allows government agencies, research institutions, and private companies to send instruments and hardware to the lunar surface for a fraction of the cost of traditional government-led missions.

Contributes to Artemis Program and Future Moon Missions

As a key component of NASA’s Artemis program, Peregrine plays a critical role in laying the groundwork for sustained human exploration of the Moon. The mission will help identify valuable lunar resources, test advanced navigation and communication technologies, and analyze the effects of the lunar environment on various payloads. By gathering essential data on lunar surface conditions, Peregrine will aid future Artemis crewed landings and potential lunar base developments.

Launch Vehicle: ULA Vulcan Centaur Rocket

Peregrine’s first mission is set to launch aboard the United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket, a next-generation launch vehicle designed for deep-space missions. The Vulcan Centaur provides high payload capacity, increased reliability, and cost-effective access to space, making it an ideal launch partner for lunar missions. This mission marks the inaugural flight of the Vulcan Centaur, further adding to the historical significance of Peregrine’s journey.

Target Landing Site: Lacus Mortis (A Lunar Crater)

The Peregrine lander is targeting Lacus Mortis, a large crater in the northeastern region of the Moon. This site was chosen for its scientific and exploration value, as it is home to ancient volcanic structures and a potential lava tube system. Studying Lacus Mortis could provide key insights into the Moon’s geological history, as well as potential sites for future habitats and resource extraction. The mission will also test precision landing technologies, which will be crucial for future crewed lunar missions.

Spacecraft Design

The Peregrine Lunar Lander is designed to be a versatile and robust spacecraft, capable of delivering scientific instruments, technology demonstrations, and commercial payloads to the harsh environment of the Moon's surface. Its structure, power systems, propulsion, and communication capabilities are engineered to ensure a successful landing and operational lifespan on the lunar surface.

1. Structure & Dimensions

The Peregrine lander has been designed with a compact yet sturdy structure, optimized for lunar transportation and payload accommodation.

• Height: Approximately 1.9 meters (6.2 feet), making it a relatively compact lander suitable for deployment on a variety of lunar terrains.
• Diameter: Around 2.5 meters (8.2 feet), ensuring stability during landing and operation.
• Mass: The total mass of the lander, including fuel and payloads, is 1,200 kg (2,645 lbs).
• Payload Capacity: The lander can accommodate up to 90 kg (198 lbs) of scientific and commercial payloads, allowing multiple customers to share a single mission.

The structure of Peregrine is built with lightweight aluminum alloys and composite materials, ensuring durability while minimizing mass. The lander’s design features a low center of gravity, enhancing stability during landing.

2. Power & Propulsion

Peregrine is equipped with advanced power and propulsion systems to ensure a smooth journey to the Moon and a controlled descent onto the lunar surface.

• Solar Panels: The lander is fitted with high-efficiency solar panels, which generate power from sunlight and charge onboard batteries. These panels ensure continuous operation of scientific instruments and communication systems during the lunar day.
• Battery System: Lithium-ion batteries provide energy storage and power distribution to onboard systems, enabling functionality during periods of shadow.

• Propulsion System: Peregrine uses a monopropellant propulsion system, which relies on hydrazine thrusters for mid-course corrections during transit, controlled descent and landing on the lunar surface, maintaining stability and precision during approach and final touchdown maneuvers. The propulsion system is engineered for precise thrust control, minimizing landing uncertainties and ensuring mission success.

3. Navigation & Communication

The Peregrine lander is designed with autonomous navigation and a high-reliability communication system, ensuring accurate landing and data transmission to mission operators on Earth.

• Autonomous Guidance & Navigation System: Peregrine is equipped with advanced onboard sensors, star trackers, and an inertial measurement unit (IMU) to allow precise, autonomous navigation during its journey to the Moon and final descent. The system is capable of real-time adjustments, reducing reliance on ground commands.
• X-Band Communication System: The lander utilizes an X-band radio system to transmit mission data, telemetry, and scientific findings to Earth via NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN).
• UHF Communication: Peregrine also features a UHF transceiver, allowing direct short-range communication with nearby assets, such as future lunar rovers or other landers.

Designed for harsh lunar conditions, Peregrine has been engineered to withstand extreme lunar conditions, including intense temperature variations, ranging from -173°C (-280°F) during the lunar night to over 100°C (212°F) in direct sunlight, high radiation exposure due to the Moon’s lack of a protective atmosphere and dust mitigation strategies to prevent lunar regolith from interfering with sensors and instruments.

The Peregrine lander has been designed as a scalable platform, meaning future iterations can be modified for larger payload capacities and extended surface operations. This modularity enables Astrobotic to adapt the design for future missions, including potential cargo deliveries, lunar outpost support, and human exploration initiatives. With its state-of-the-art design, high payload capacity, and precision landing capabilities, the Peregrine Lunar Lander represents a major milestone in commercial lunar exploration, setting the stage for regular lunar deliveries and sustainable Moon missions.

Mission Timeline: Peregrine Lunar Lander

The Peregrine Lunar Lander follows a meticulously planned mission timeline, ensuring a successful journey from launch to lunar operations. Each phase of the mission involves critical maneuvers, precision navigation, and scientific payload deployment, contributing to NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and future lunar exploration efforts.

1. Launch Phase

The mission begins with the liftoff of the Peregrine Lunar Lander aboard a ULA Vulcan Centaur rocket from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida.

• Launch Vehicle: United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur, a next-generation launch system designed for high-performance deep space missions.
• Expected Launch Date: 2024 (subject to final schedule confirmation).
• Launch Site: Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (CCSFS), Florida.

Mission Objectives During Launch:

• Safely deliver the Peregrine Lander to space after separation from the Vulcan Centaur upper stage.
• Initiate the translunar trajectory for a precise approach toward the Moon.

Once launched, Peregrine will begin its multi-day journey to the Moon, navigating through deep space with real-time trajectory adjustments.

2. Cruise & Lunar Orbit Insertion

After separating from the Vulcan Centaur’s upper stage, Peregrine will enter a translunar trajectory. This phase involves several key orbital maneuvers to ensure a precise approach to the Moon.

• Translunar Injection (TLI): The lander will be placed on a direct course toward the Moon, covering nearly 400,000 km (250,000 miles) in a matter of days.
• Trajectory Correction Maneuvers (TCMs): Peregrine will perform mid-course corrections to fine-tune its approach and correct any deviations.
• Approach Phase: As the lander nears the Moon, it will adjust its attitude and orientation in preparation for descent.

This phase is crucial for ensuring an accurate landing, as even minor deviations could result in missing the intended landing site.

3. Lunar Descent & Landing

Upon reaching the Moon, Peregrine will initiate a controlled descent, engaging its main propulsion system for a soft lunar landing.

• Landing Engines Activation: The onboard monopropellant thrusters will fire to gradually slow down the spacecraft’s descent velocity.
• Precision Guidance: The lander’s autonomous navigation system will ensure a safe and stable landing in the intended zone.
• Final Approach: Peregrine will use real-time imaging and altimetry data to make last-second course adjustments before touchdown.

Target Landing Site: Lacus Mortis

Peregrine is set to land at Lacus Mortis, a large crater located in the Moon’s northwestern region. This location is of scientific interest due to its geological features and potential for future exploration. The terrain is relatively smooth, minimizing risks during the final descent phase. A successful soft landing will mark a major milestone for commercial lunar exploration, demonstrating private industry’s capability to land robotic spacecraft on the Moon.

4. Surface Operations

Once on the Moon, Peregrine’s mission focus shifts to scientific research and technology demonstrations.

Payload Deployment: The lander will begin activating and deploying scientific instruments, some of which will operate autonomously.

Science & Technology Experiments:

• Instruments onboard will study the lunar surface, radiation environment, and exosphere.
• NASA payloads will test new lunar technologies for future Artemis missions.

Data Collection & Transmission:

• The lander will send back images, scientific readings, and environmental data to Earth.
• Communication will be maintained via the X-band and UHF communication systems.

While the exact duration of surface operations depends on lunar environmental conditions and power availability, the lander is expected to function for several days to weeks before depleting its resources.

Scientific Instruments & Payloads of the Peregrine Lunar Lander

The Peregrine Lunar Lander is equipped with a diverse suite of scientific instruments and payloads from NASA, international space agencies, academic institutions, and commercial entities. These payloads aim to enhance our understanding of the Moon, support future human exploration, and test new space technologies.

1. NASA Scientific Payloads

As part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, NASA has selected several payloads to be carried aboard Peregrine. These instruments are designed to study the lunar environment, measure radiation, and search for water ice deposits, which are critical for future Artemis missions.

a) Lunar Magnetosphere Instruments: Investigate the remnants of the Moon’s magnetic field and its interaction with the solar wind. Helps scientists understand the Moon’s ancient magnetic history and its role in planetary evolution.

b) Volatiles Experiment Package (VIPER-related): Designed to detect and analyze water ice and other volatile compounds in the lunar regolith. It also directly supports NASA’s VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) mission, which will explore the Moon’s south pole for potential in-situ resource utilization (ISRU).

c) Radiation Monitors: Measure space radiation levels on the Moon’s surface, providing essential data for astronaut safety in future Artemis missions. It helps assess the risks of cosmic rays and solar radiation to human explorers and electronic systems. These NASA-funded instruments will provide valuable scientific insights that will guide future crewed missions to the Moon and beyond.

2. Commercial & International Payloads

Beyond NASA’s scientific instruments, Peregrine also carries commercial and international payloads from space agencies, private companies, and academic institutions. These include:

a) European Space Agency (ESA) & German Aerospace Center (DLR) Instruments: ESA and DLR are contributing scientific payloads focused on lunar surface analysis, radiation measurement, and technology demonstrations. These instruments will help develop new technologies for robotic and human exploration.

b) Lunar Time Capsule: Peregrine carries a cultural time capsule containing messages, artifacts, and symbolic objects from Earth. Aims to preserve a snapshot of human civilization for potential discovery by future explorers.

c) Academic & Research Institution Experiments: Various universities and research organizations have contributed scientific experiments. These experiments cover a range of topics, including lunar geology, material science, and biological studies in a lunar environment.

3. Technological Demonstrations & Commercial Cargo

In addition to scientific investigations, Peregrine also supports technology demonstrations and commercial payload deliveries. Testing New Space Technologies: Certain payloads will evaluate new sensors, communication systems, and energy storage technologies for use in future lunar missions.

• Commercial Partnerships: Companies can test and validate commercial products and services in the lunar environment, advancing space commerce and exploration.

Importance of the Peregrine Lunar Lander Mission

The Peregrine Lunar Lander represents a major step forward in robotic lunar exploration, combining scientific research, technological innovation, and commercial space development. This mission serves multiple critical objectives, ranging from supporting NASA’s Artemis program to enabling private industry participation in lunar exploration.

1. Supporting NASA’s Artemis Program

Peregrine is a key part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which supports the Artemis program, a long-term effort to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable presence.

• Technology Testing: The mission helps evaluate new navigation, communication, and landing technologies essential for future crewed lunar landings.
• Surface Science & Resource Utilization: Data collected on lunar soil composition, radiation levels, and potential water ice deposits will be used to plan future Artemis missions, particularly those targeting the Moon’s south pole for resource extraction.
• Astronaut Safety: Radiation monitoring instruments onboard Peregrine will assess the effects of deep-space radiation, a major concern for long-duration human missions. By serving as a precursor mission, Peregrine provides vital insights that will shape the future of lunar habitation and deep-space exploration.

2. Enabling Commercial Access to the Moon

One of the most groundbreaking aspects of the Peregrine mission is its role in democratizing lunar access by providing a commercial platform for scientific and private payloads.

• Supporting a Lunar Economy: Peregrine demonstrates that private companies can develop and operate lunar landers, opening new business opportunities in lunar transportation, resource mining, and infrastructure development.
• Lowering the Cost of Lunar Missions: By offering affordable payload delivery services, Astrobotic is creating a new commercial pathway for universities, research organizations, and businesses to conduct lunar experiments and product testing.
• Encouraging International Participation: The inclusion of European Space Agency (ESA), German Aerospace Center (DLR), and private companies highlights global collaboration in lunar exploration. This mission sets a precedent for future commercial lunar activities, helping establish supply chains, transportation networks, and business models for a sustainable lunar economy.

3. Advancing Scientific Understanding of the Moon

Peregrine carries a diverse set of scientific instruments that will collect critical data on lunar conditions, expanding our knowledge of Earth’s closest celestial neighbour.

• Mapping Lunar Resources: Instruments such as the Volatiles Experiment Package (VIPER-related) will help identify water ice deposits that could be used for life support and fuel production in future missions.
• Studying the Lunar Magnetosphere: By analyzing the Moon’s magnetic field and interactions with the solar wind, scientists can gain insights into the Moon’s ancient history and evolution.
• Radiation Exposure Research: Measuring space radiation levels will help in designing better shielding for astronauts, ensuring safer deep-space missions. The mission’s scientific contributions will enhance our understanding of the Moon’s geology, environment, and potential for supporting human exploration.

4. Paving the Way for Long-Term Lunar Presence

Peregrine is more than just a single mission; it is a major step towards long-term lunar settlement.

• Building Infrastructure for Future Missions: Success with soft lunar landings and payload delivery will encourage the development of future robotic and human missions.
• Testing Key Technologies for Habitation: Experiments onboard will provide valuable data on how equipment and materials withstand the extreme conditions of the Moon.
• Inspiring New Innovations: The mission could influence the design of future landers, habitats, and lunar outposts, supporting NASA, commercial companies, and international partners. With increasing global interest in lunar exploration, Peregrine plays a crucial role in establishing sustainable lunar operations.

Challenges & Future Prospects of the Peregrine Lunar Lander Mission

The Peregrine Lunar Lander is a groundbreaking mission in commercial lunar exploration, but it is not without its challenges. The extreme conditions of the lunar surface, combined with the complexities of soft-landing a spacecraft on an alien world, present significant hurdles. However, overcoming these obstacles will pave the way for future commercial landers and help establish a sustained human presence on the Moon.

Challenges of the Peregrine Lunar Lander Mission

1. Landing Precision in Rough Lunar Terrain

The Moon's surface is highly uneven, with craters, boulders, and steep slopes that make landing a delicate operation. Peregrine must achieve:

• Pinpoint accuracy in descent and touchdown to avoid hazardous terrain.
• Autonomous navigation and real-time hazard detection to make last-minute trajectory adjustments.
• Soft-landing capability, ensuring the lander doesn't tip over upon touchdown.

Landing on Lacus Mortis, a lava-formed lunar crater, presents additional challenges due to its rugged and unpredictable geology. Peregrine must use precise trajectory correction maneuvers to reach the intended site safely.

2. Extreme Lunar Temperatures

The Moon experiences drastic temperature fluctuations, which create significant engineering challenges for Peregrine's electronics, instruments, and structural integrity:

• Daytime Temperatures: Can soar up to 120°C (248°F), potentially overheating critical systems.
• Nighttime Temperatures: Can plummet to -180°C (-292°F), which may freeze components and drain battery power.

To counter these extreme conditions, the lander must rely on advanced thermal control systems, including:

• Multi-layer insulation (MLI) to regulate heat.
• Internal heaters to keep components functional in the freezing cold.
• Radiative cooling surfaces to prevent overheating in sunlight.

Since Peregrine’s primary mission duration is short, it will not endure a full lunar night cycle but surviving even a few days on the surface requires robust thermal engineering.

3. Communication Delays & Limited Real-Time Control

Since the Moon is approximately 384,400 km (238,855 miles) from Earth, there are communication delays of about 1.3 seconds each way. This introduces:

• Lag in commands: Unlike Mars rovers that can be operated with some real-time adjustments, Peregrine must function autonomously.
• Limited control during descent: Engineers on Earth cannot manually guide the lander’s final approach due to the delay.
• Potential signal loss: Atmospheric conditions or misalignment with Earth-based antennas can disrupt data transmission.

To mitigate these risks, Peregrine relies on:

• Pre-programmed landing sequences to execute autonomous descent and touchdown.
• X-band and UHF communication systems to ensure reliable data relay.
• Backup redundancy systems to prevent signal dropouts.

Effective communication with NASA’s Deep Space Network (DSN) is critical for receiving mission telemetry, scientific data, and health status updates from the lander.

Future Prospects of the Peregrine Lunar Lander Mission

1. Paving the Way for Future Commercial Lunar Landers

Peregrine will prove that commercially developed lunar landers can reliably:

• Deliver scientific payloads to the Moon.
• Operate in the lunar environment with minimal intervention.
• Serve as cost-effective alternatives to traditional government-led missions.

This success will open doors for more frequent, lower-cost lunar landings, benefiting both government space agencies and private enterprises.

2. Supporting a Sustainable Lunar Economy

Peregrine is a key step toward establishing a long-term lunar economy, enabling:

• Regular lunar deliveries for research and commercial purposes.
• Increased international collaboration, allowing multiple nations to send payloads.
• Prospecting for lunar resources, such as water ice, which could support future lunar bases.

This mission aligns with NASA’s Artemis program goals of creating a sustained human presence on the Moon, which could lead to:

• Permanent lunar habitats for research and industry.
• In-situ resource utilization (ISRU), turning Moon materials into fuel, water, or construction materials.
• Gateway missions that prepare for human exploration of Mars.

3. Inspiring Future Lunar Missions & Innovations

The Peregrine mission will set the stage for:

• More advanced landers with greater payload capacity and longer operational lifetimes.
• Refinements in landing technology, leading to safer, more precise landings.
• New scientific discoveries that may influence future lunar and planetary missions.

Its success will serve as a proof of concept for commercial lunar exploration, encouraging private companies to invest in and develop their own Moon-bound missions.

The Peregrine Lunar Lander is set to become one of the first commercially developed spacecraft to land on the Moon for future lunar exploration and commercial spaceflight. With its structured mission timeline, advanced navigation, and diverse payloads, Peregrine represents a major leap toward a sustainable lunar presence. With its varied payloads, Peregrine will contribute to lunar science, technological advancements, and commercial space exploration, helping lay the foundation for sustained human presence on the Moon. By supporting NASA’s Artemis program, enabling private-sector participation, and advancing scientific research, Peregrine is laying the foundation for humanity’s long-term presence on the Moon. By participating in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Peregrine is a technology demonstrator and a science enabler, carrying a diverse array of payloads that will expand our understanding of lunar resources, radiation exposure, and the Moon’s magnetic environment. These findings will be crucial for the Artemis program, helping to lay the groundwork for a sustained human presence on the Moon. Peregrine stands as a symbol of innovation, collaboration, and progress, demonstrating that the future of space exploration.