The First Private Unmanned Lunar Lander Took Off in the U.S.

[Image source=UPI Yonhap News]

An unmanned lunar lander led by a private company was launched in the United States on the 8th (local time). If it successfully lands on the lunar surface, it will become the world's first private lunar lander.

The lunar lander Peregrine, developed by the American space company Astrobotic, took off at 2:18 a.m. on the 8th (local time) from the Cape Canaveral Space Launch Complex in Florida, aboard United Launch Alliance (ULA)'s Vulcan Centaur rocket.

Peregrine is scheduled to land on February 23 of this year in the lava plains of Sinus Viscositatis, northeast of Mare Imbrium on the near side of the Moon. Foreign media explained, "If this lander's landing is successful, it will be recorded as the world's first private lunar explorer."

Unlike the Apollo spacecraft, Peregrine will not fly directly to the Moon but will orbit the Moon for about a month, gradually lowering its altitude to attempt a soft landing. The lander carries scientific instruments to investigate the lunar surface composition and radiation.

If Peregrine's landing is successful, the United States will resume lunar surface exploration for the first time in over 51 years since Apollo 17 in December 1972, which was the last lunar mission.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.