"Vulcan Rocket Set for Historic Launch with First US Moon Lander Since Apollo"

NASA is set to launch the Astrobotic Peregrine lunar lander aboard ULA's Vulcan rocket on January 8, marking one of the first missions to the Moon's surface since Apollo 17. The mission, part of NASA's CLPS initiative, will carry scientific instruments to study lunar volatiles and the radiation environment, aiding future crewed missions. The launch also includes a Celestis Memorial Spaceflight Payload, carrying the ashes of 'Star Trek' celebrities and others into space, which has raised concerns from the Navajo Nation. Despite this, the Vulcan rocket has passed its Launch Readiness Review and is set to proceed with the launch as planned.