Peregrine lander
Astrobotic's first Moon lander. It launched in January 2024 but a propellant leak right after launch meant it could never try to land, and it burned up over the Pacific ten days later.
Why it matters
Peregrine was the first lander flown under NASA's commercial Moon delivery program. Its failure, and the fix Astrobotic made for its follow-up lander, shaped how the industry approached the next round of landings.
How the technology works
Peregrine was a small lander carrying about 20 payloads from NASA, other countries and private customers. Shortly after separating from its rocket, a helium pressurization valve that Astrobotic believes failed to close let an oxidizer tank overpressurize and rupture.
The team kept it alive and running payloads for about ten days, then steered it into Earth's atmosphere.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction