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Astrobotic has been selected by NASA to deliver a suite of agency payloads to the lunar surface under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative in support of NASA’s Moon Base. Astrobotic is a commercial lunar logistics and robotics company based in Pittsburgh, Pa. These Moon Base task order awards will fly two Peregrine lunar landers to the Moon by the end of 2028.
“Each mission has moved us closer to routine lunar access,” said John Thornton, CEO of Astrobotic. “The experience gained from our first two lander programs has matured both our team and our technologies, and we look forward to applying those lessons to Peregrine-2 and Peregrine-3 as we continue supporting NASA in building America’s Moon Base.”
Each Moon Base task order mission is scheduled to launch by 2028 and will deliver three NASA-sponsored payloads on Peregrine to a landing site near the Gruithuisen Domes, a volcanic formation on the Moon’s near side.
Among the mission payloads is NASA’s Linear Energy Transfer Spectrometer (LETS), which will monitor the lunar radiation environment to support future human exploration under the Artemis campaign. Data collected by LETS will improve understanding of radiation exposure for astronauts living and working on the lunar surface.
The lander will also carry Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS), a camera system mounted beneath the spacecraft to observe how engine exhaust interacts with the lunar surface during descent. The resulting data will help engineers better understand plume-surface interactions, reducing risk for future lunar landings and improving spacecraft and crew safety.
Mounted atop the lander, NASA’s Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) will serve as a permanent optical reference point for future missions. By reflecting laser signals from orbiting or surface vehicles, the instrument will support precision navigation and localization on the Moon.
In addition to NASA’s payload suite, each Peregrine lander will have capacity available for commercial, government, academic, and international customers. The lander provides power, communications, and thermal support throughout the surface mission, enabling a wide range of scientific investigations and technology demonstrations.
Following launch, each Peregrine will enter lunar orbit before performing an autonomous landing near the Gruithuisen Domes. After touchdown, the landers are expected to support payload operations with power, communications, and command services while enabling scientific investigations and technology demonstrations that will contribute to the next phase of the Moon Base.