CNN reports Astrobotic Technology “said it is abandoning an attempt to put its Peregrine spacecraft on the moon less than 24 hours after the vehicle took flight” because the spacecraft “suffered ‘critical’ propellant loss.” As reported, “Just hours after launching from Florida toward the moon early Monday morning, the company announced the spacecraft was in jeopardy. The lunar lander, dubbed Peregrine, was unable to place itself in a position facing the sun, likely because of a propulsion issue, according to the company. The wayward orientation prevented the spacecraft from charging its batteries. The battery issue was later resolved, but Astrobotic was not able to correct the apparent issue with the Peregrine lander’s propulsion system.”
Full Story (CNN)
Tag: Propellant
Starliner Valve Investigation Focuses on Moisture Interaction with Propellant
Space News reported that The Boeing Company continues to investigate what caused 13 of the CST-100 Starliner’s valves to stick in the closed position before its scrubbed test flight in early August. The leading cause for the valve failure “is that nitrogen tetroxide (NTO) propellant, leaking through the valve, reacted with moisture and created nitric oxide, corroding the valve.”
Full Story (Space News)