Griffin lander
A larger Moon lander that can carry about 650 kg to the surface. Its first flight, Griffin-1, is set to launch on a Falcon Heavy in late 2026 carrying Astrolab's FLIP rover.
Why it matters
Griffin is one of the few commercial landers big enough to carry a rover. NASA treats Griffin-1 as the Moon Base II mission, an early step toward permanent infrastructure at the south pole.
How the technology works
Griffin launches on a SpaceX Falcon Heavy and flies itself to the Moon. A dedicated payload adapter holds large payloads, and optional ramps let rovers drive off after landing.
After Peregrine's helium valve failure, Astrobotic added a dual-redundant valve system. Griffin was first built to carry NASA's VIPER rover; when VIPER was canceled, Astrolab's FLIP rover took its place.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction