MADRID, 8 Ene. (EUROPA PRESS) –
A failure in the propulsion system, which is causing a critical loss of propellant, has complicated the first stages of the trip to the Moon for the US Peregrine lander.
“The team is working to try to stabilize this loss, but given the situation, we have prioritized maximizing the science and data we can capture. We are currently evaluating what alternative mission profiles may be feasible at this time,” explains Astrobotic, manufacturer of the mission, in an update to a series of communications on the issue.
After successfully separating from United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket following its January 8 launch, Astrobotic’s Peregrine lunar lander began receiving telemetry via NASA’s Deep Space Network.
Following successful activation of the propulsion systems, Peregrine entered a safe operational state, which affected communications. An anomaly occurred that prevented Astrobotic from achieving a stable orientation towards the Sun, and making a controlled landing on the Moon possible.
Through an improvised maneuver, the team managed to reorient Peregrine’s solar panel towards the Sun which made it possible to charge the battery. However, propulsion failure includes a critical loss of fuel.
The first US mission to the lunar surface in more than 50 years, Peregrine is a mission contracted by NASA with private companies, and houses several scientific instruments of the space agency.
