NASA-backed Peregrine One spacecraft carrying JFK’s DNA to the moon is LOSING fuel after suffering ‘anomaly’ – meaning remains of former president and hundreds more could be lost forever

Anomaly Strikes Lunar Mission

A private lunar mission experienced a setback when it encountered an anomaly, hindering the craft’s ability to orient its solar panels toward the sun while traversing space.

Plagued Journey Since Liftoff

This NASA-backed mission, initiated from Florida, faced a series of challenges right from its launch.

The Peregrine One lunar lander grappled with a propulsion system issue, resulting in a critical fuel loss merely seven hours after liftoff.

Valued at $108 million, the lander carries crucial NASA instruments, a hair sample from former US President John F Kennedy, and the ashes of numerous individuals.

Despite Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic’s efforts to stabilize the loss, complications persisted.

Cargo and Launch Details

Loaded onto a brand-new Vulcan rocket by United Launch Alliance, this craft holds the remains of individuals whose families invested up to $13,000 for a lunar scattering.

Alongside Kennedy’s hair sample, it bears remnants of Dwight D Eisenhower and George Washington.

Facilitated by Celestis, a company specializing in space burials, the mission offers packages starting at $2,500.

Each sample, enclosed in a silver cylinder, will eventually scatter across the lunar surface.

Challenges and Triumphs in Orbit

As the mission commenced, issues arose with the lander’s propulsion system, potentially jeopardizing the touchdown on the moon.

Yet, despite global apprehension, communication was reinstated, reigniting hopes for a successful mission.

Rocket’s Journey and the Critical Hitch

The Vulcan Centaur rocket, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program for 2024, launched from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida.

With significant thrust generated by methane-fueled engines and boosters, the rocket shed a considerable portion of its weight during liftoff.

As it coasted in Earth’s orbit, the lander detached 51 minutes after launch, initiating its trajectory toward the moon.

However, a vital issue emerged—the lander’s inability to position its solar panels toward the sun, crucial for recharging its batteries.

Prospects for the Mission

Despite these challenges, there remains optimism that adjustments might enable the lander to successfully reach the moon’s surface by February, assuming the team can resolve the craft’s orientation issue.

Science News