The first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years appeared to be doomed after a private company’s spacecraft developed a “critical” fuel leak just hours after Monday’s launch. United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket provided the lift for Astrobotic’s lander, named Peregrine, putting it on a long, roundabout path to the moon. A propulsion system problem “threatens the ability of the spacecraft to soft land on the moon,” the company said. Astrobotic’s contract with NASA for the Peregrine lander was $108 million and it has more in the pipeline. Jeff Bezos’ rocket company, Blue Origin, provided the Vulcan’s two main engines.

Source: The Hindu January 08, 2024 23:48 UTC