Two space missions prepare to usher in a new era of commercial lunar exploration
Led by NASA, two private spacecraft are planned to be sent to the lunar surface in early 2024 as part of the CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Service) program. The program is a «space commercial transportation service» to deliver NASA experiments and other payloads to the Moon. If these missions are successful, this will be the first time spacecraft designed and launched by private companies have been sent to the Moon. This could usher in a new era of commercial lunar exploration and science.
CLPS was created by NASA in 2018 and initially included nine companies. One of the missions led by Astrobotic is called Peregrine, and the other by Intuitive Machines is called Nova-C. Both will be on the Moon within a week of launch. Peregrine will launch first, with a launch scheduled for January 8th. The main goal of both missions — deliver various experiments and payloads to the Moon. This will allow scientists to study radiation, lunar soil and the possible presence of water on the Moon.
There are several experiments inside Peregrine. One of them — a set of mirrors, a laser retroflective grating that will be used to accurately position the module from orbit.
Also inside are several spectrometers – devices that separate and measure different colors of light. They will measure radiation on the lunar surface and look for signs of moisture in the lunar soil. One of the spectrometers will look for substances containing hydrogen, which could indicate the presence of water below the surface. This water could be used by researchers in the future. Another spectrometer on Peregrine will measure metrics useful for studying the radiation environment on the lunar surface and its impact on future explorers.
The second spacecraft, which will be launched in early 2024 — Nova-C lander. It is also equipped with a set of laser retroflective grating mirrors. The launch of Nova-C is scheduled for mid-February. Nova-C also carries cameras to create a 3D image of the landing site. This will allow us to estimate the amount of material raised during planting and its composition.
Along with this, the Rolses (Radio observations of the lunar surface photo-electron sheath) instrument is on board, designed to measure the influence of the extremely rarefied lunar atmosphere and dust on radio waves. The behavior of electrically charged dust particles on the Moon poses a technical challenge that future explorers will have to overcome. Abrasive particles can stick to surfaces and machinery and potentially cause harm if ingested by astronauts.
On board Nova-C is the ILO-X (International Lunar Observatory) instrument, which will create the first images of the Milky Way from the surface of the Moon. This will give a start to lunar astronomy.
The landing sites for both missions also have their own uniqueness and scientific interest. For Peregrine, this is the Sinus Viscositatis Bay (Stickiness Bay), where the Gruithuisen Gamma and Gruithuisen Delta mountains, also known as the “Gruithuisen Domes,” are located. The researchers plan to study the variety of basalt around the plains, as well as the state of the silica formations in the mountains. The Plains are a type of basalt, while the Domes are made of silica. Both are of volcanic origin, but one of them appears to have been formed by viscous lava, and the other — more fluid lava (basalt). On Earth, silica lavas typically require water and plate tectonics. However, it is unknown whether tectonic plates exist on the Moon, as well as water in sufficient quantities for silica lavas. The Gruithuisen Domes pose a mystery that perhaps Peregrine can partially solve.
Nova-C will land in the small ancient crater Malapert A, which is located near the south pole of the Moon. This location is interesting because it is always in shadow, which may preserve water ice delivered by comets. Researchers will be able to study the site and evaluate its potential for use in future missions for life support and rocket fuel production.
Both vehicles also hosted payloads from private investors. Peregrine, for example, will carry DHL's Spacebox, which will contain customers' personal items. Nova-C, in turn, will take the «Humanity Hall of Fame» — list of names for future generations. Such payloads could attract additional funding for launch companies.
In the coming years, several more companies plan to launch their first payloads to the Moon. With all these ambitious plans and private investment, lunar exploration could usher in a new era. Future missions and discoveries will help us better understand the Moon and its potential for colonization and scientific exploration.