First US Moon landing mission since Apollo over 50 years ago blasts off to space

08 January 2024 , 07:22

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Peregrine, the first US Moon landing mission since Apollo in 1972, has lifted off from Cape Canaveral.

The Peregrine Mission One represents the first attempt at a US lunar landing in more than 50 years. NASA scientists anticipate the Peregrine lander's successful landing on the Moon, which is expected to happen on February 23. Once landed, the Peregrine lander will deliver scientific instruments for various research purposes.

The Vulcan rocket carrying the Peregrine lunar lander lifted off as scheduled at 7:18am GMT (2:18 local time) from Cape Canaveral in Florida marking the debut flight for both the Vulcan rocket and the Peregrine lunar lander. The total cost of this mission for NASA is £85 million. Mission control reported that everything was looking good, with positive indications of hydraulic and chamber pressure on both engines.

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The Vulcan rocket carrying the Peregrine lunar lander lifted off as scheduled

The United Launch Alliance, the manufacturer of the Vulcan rocket, is closely monitoring the performance of the rocket in its inaugural flight.

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However, science correspondent Thomas Moore said the mission is leaving some scientists feeling "icky". He told Sky News: "This is a really interesting mission, not just because it is the first US lander to go to the moon since Apollo 17 in December 1972, but this time NASA is not at the controls, it has bought a ticket to ride," he said.

United Launch Alliance's (ULA) Vulcan Centaur, lifts off from Space Launch Complex 41d at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (AFP via Getty Images)

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"It has five instruments on board, but it is paying a private US company to develop the rocket and another one to actually build, design and control the lander.

"This is controversial because alongside those instruments there will be commercial payloads too, including some human remains that have been cremated and a marketing stunt by a sports drink manufacturer.

The total cost of this mission for NASA is £85 million (Sky News/Youtube)

"Many scientists feel this is all a little bit icky. But, for NASA, it means it can control the costs, so they are just paying $108m to get to the moon, which is an absolute bargain.

"To get to such a low price, they are taking a massive gamble. The rocket has never flown before, the lander has never attempted to leave Earth's orbit before, so this technology is being tested well beyond its limits."

The United Launch Alliance (ULA) Vulcan Centaur rocket before taking off at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station (AFP via Getty Images)

After the launch, the Vulcan rocket ascended using methane-fueled engines and two rocket boosters. The boosters were eventually separated, and the Vulcan's engines continued to propel the rocket forward.

The engines were powered by a mixture of methane and liquid oxygen, and the rocket reached half of its original weight within a few minutes, having burned through 318,000 kilograms of propellant. The engines generated approximately 1 million pounds of thrust.

As part of the ascent process, the payload fairing, which is equipment used to protect the rocket from aerodynamic forces during the early phases of launch, was jettisoned. This further reduced the weight of the rocket to less than 10% of its lift-off mass.

According to the United Launch Alliance (ULA), the Vulcan rocket successfully reached a preliminary Earth orbit, where it will coast above the globe for 28 minutes. This phase of coasting is a part of the mission plan before any further maneuvers or orbital adjustments are made.