SpaceX Inspires NASA to Prep for Small Mishaps in Moonshot Plan
- US drew from VC culture to create moon exploration program
- Intuitive Machines to launch its lander as soon as next month
A picture from Peregrine showing a disturbance of the insulation.
Source: Astrobotic Technology
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When the first US-made moon lander launched in more than 50 years experienced a critical failure shortly after reaching space on Monday, the news was initially a shock. But NASA was prepared.
The Peregrine lander, built by a Pittsburgh-based startup called Astrobotic, had barely been deployed into orbit before it suffered an apparent propulsion error, causing it to leak propellant into space. After a day, the company said there was no chance the spacecraft would reach the moon.