Swerd Media: Final Preparations Underway for Risky Peregrine Moon Mission
Final preparations are currently underway for the highly anticipated Peregrine mission, which aims to put a US lander on the moon. This groundbreaking mission, named after the fastest animal on Earth, is poised to be the first of its kind in over 50 years. However, the high level of risk associated with this commercial operation has raised concerns, as no private company has achieved a soft landing on the moon before.
Scheduled to launch on Monday, the Peregrine mission will attempt to land on the lunar surface on February 23. As part of NASA’s commercial lunar payload services initiative, private companies are being contracted to deliver scientific equipment to the moon. Peregrine, a trailblazing mission, will carry five NASA payloads and 15 others, including a small rover, a copy of Wikipedia, a physical coin with one bitcoin, and cremated human remains.
Controversy has marred the mission due to concerns over certain payloads that have been included. Some have raised objections, citing worries about desecration of the moon. However, despite these concerns, the mission is set to proceed as planned.
Peregrine has its sights set on the Bay of Stickiness, an ancient lava flow on the moon’s surface. Once the lander reaches its destination, it will utilize its instruments to measure radiation levels, water ice, magnetic fields, and the exosphere. These data collection efforts are aimed at minimizing risks for future missions and also exploring the moon’s natural resources.
This exciting mission is just the beginning of a series of landers set to launch under NASA’s commercial lunar payload services scheme. The next lander is expected to launch in mid-February.
While many scientists welcome the surge of commercial interest in the moon, calls have been made for agreements to protect special sites of interest and establish regulatory frameworks for future exploration and resource extraction. These measures would help ensure responsible and sustainable space exploration while safeguarding scientific and historical landmarks.
As the countdown begins for the Peregrine mission, the world eagerly anticipates the outcome of this ambitious endeavor that could pave the way for future lunar exploration and resource utilization.
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