United Launch Alliance Wins Contract to Send Astrobotic Lander to Moon
ULA secures a deal to launch Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander in 2021 using its new Vulcan Centaur rocket. The mission supports NASA's commercial lunar program and doubles as a key certification flight for the rocket.
United Launch Alliance takes on a major new role in NASA's return to the Moon by winning a contract to launch Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander in 2021. The Peregrine lander lifts off from Cape Canaveral aboard ULA's next-generation Vulcan Centaur rocket. This mission serves as one of two mandatory certification flights ULA needs to qualify the Vulcan for future United States Air Force missions.
The Vulcan Centaur represents a significant technological leap for ULA, combining legacy technology from the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets with new Blue Origin BE-4 engines. This upgraded heavy-lift vehicle carries larger payloads than its predecessors, making it an ideal choice for lunar delivery. Astrobotic currently prepares to carry 90 kilograms of cargo for 16 different customers on this initial Moon trip.
Astrobotic operates as one of nine original commercial payload providers selected by NASA to help establish a sustained lunar presence. With NASA actively seeking additional companies to join this growing lunar delivery network, launch providers like ULA and SpaceX stand to gain significant future business. As more partners sign on to deliver scientific and commercial cargo to the lunar surface, the demand for reliable heavy-lift rockets continues to increase.