Peregrine One, aiming for a historic moon landing, faces a fiery end in Earth’s atmosphere after a mission failure

A US rocket, aiming to revisit the Moon after 50 years, failed and is now returning to Earth. The mission’s success would have marked the first US presence on the Moon since the 1970s Apollo program. NASA planned for Peregrine One to scout the Moon for future 2026 missions. The lander was to study the Moon’s surface, exploring its composition and radiation levels. It also aimed to create a Moon memorial with the remains or DNA of 330 people, including George Washington and John F. Kennedy. However, the mission did not succeed.

Astrobotic, a private company, launched the NASA-backed Peregrine One on January 8. A fuel leak disrupted the mission, dashing hopes of a Moon return. On January 13, Astrobotic’s social media announced the spacecraft’s return to Earth, expecting it to burn up in the atmosphere. “The propellant leak has slowed, but a Moon landing is now impossible,” their statement said.

On January 14, Astrobotic updated that the rocket, 234,000 miles away, will likely conclude its mission by January 18. They confirmed no safety risks to people from the falling lander. “We are coordinating with NASA for a safe re-entry. The spacecraft will burn up in Earth’s atmosphere,” their website update stated.

Astrobotic’s CEO John Thornton expressed pride in the team’s efforts despite the failure. “Our team overcame huge challenges after the propulsion issue. We’ve learned a lot, giving us confidence for a successful Moon landing next time,” Thornton said. The mission taught valuable lessons, and the team looks forward to future Moon landings.