Questions about Astrobotic Technology

Short answers, pulled from the story.

When was Astrobotic Technology founded and what was its first prototype?

Red Whittaker declared his team would be the first commercial operation to land on the Moon in 2007. That same year, Astrobotic Technology completed a running prototype of a spacecraft called Red Rover.

What happened to the Peregrine lander launched by Astrobotic Technology in January 2024?

The Peregrine lander launched on the 8th of January 2024 from Florida's Space Force Station LC-41 aboard the maiden flight of Vulcan Centaur. A propellant leak prevented it from reaching the Moon for a soft or hard landing and ended with a controlled reentry into the Earth's atmosphere above the Pacific Ocean on the 18th of January 2024.

Which company did Astrobotic Technology acquire in September 2022?

In September 2022, Astrobotic acquired Masten Space Systems which had gone into Chapter 11 bankruptcy two months earlier. Masten was assigned to be Astrobotic's Propulsion and Test Department.

How will NASA deliver the MoonRanger rover to the lunar surface in July 2025?

On the 29th of July 2025 NASA announced that MoonRanger would be delivered to the lunar surface by a Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost lander. The US$5.6 million contract was awarded to Astrobotic and its partner Carnegie Mellon University on the 1st of July 2019.

What is the planned launch timeframe for Griffin Mission Two by Astrobotic Technology?

Griffin Mission Two is planned to be launched in Q4 2026. CubeRover-1 will be carried to the Moon on Griffin Mission One launching no earlier than December 2025.