The journey of the lunar lander Peregrine is slowly coming to an end. After a valiant attempt to deliver 20 payloads to the Moon, the lander is now preparing to return to Earth. Experts anticipate that Peregrine will disintegrate upon reentry into Earth’s atmosphere, specifically over the South Pacific.
The responsible company, Astrobotic, has taken all necessary precautions to ensure a safe return for the lander. The team meticulously devised a two-stage maneuver to control the lander’s trajectory during reentry. Astrobotic, along with NASA experts, is continuously monitoring the route that Peregrine will follow.
The anticipated reentry is scheduled for 22:00 Polish time. While it is expected that Peregrine will burn up in the atmosphere, there exists a slight risk that fragments might reach the Earth’s surface. To mitigate this risk, Astrobotic has taken every measure to ensure the remnants fall into an unpopulated area of the southern Pacific.
It is worth mentioning that the Pacific Ocean is often chosen as the deorbiting location for space debris due to its vastness and relative safety. Consequently, many other similar objects find their final resting place in this direction.
Peregrine embarked on its space journey on January 8th as part of a collaborative commercial mission with NASA. The primary objective was to land 20 essential payloads on the Moon, which included NASA’s instruments and experiments, as well as materials contributed by private companies. Notably, these materials also included payloads from Celestis Elysium Space, carrying the remains of at least 70 individuals and one dog.
Despite a propulsion malfunction that occurred shortly after the launch, the Peregrine lander managed to remain operational. Although it couldn’t achieve all its objectives, this mission marks a significant milestone in the realm of space exploration.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- What is the purpose of the Peregrine lunar lander mission?
- Where will the remains of the Peregrine lander fall to Earth?
- Why is the Pacific Ocean considered a safe location for deorbiting space debris?
The main purpose of the Peregrine lunar lander mission was to deliver 20 payloads, including NASA’s instruments and experiments, as well as materials from private companies, to the Moon.
The remnants of the Peregrine lander are anticipated to fall in an uninhabited area of the southern Pacific Ocean.
The Pacific Ocean is a popular choice for the deorbiting of space objects due to its vastness and relative safety.
Sources:
The source of the article is from the blog enp.gr