Astrobotic's Peregrine and Vulcan Rockets Prepare for Moon-bound Launch

Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander has arrived in Florida ahead of its launch to the Moon on December 24. The lander will be the main payload onboard United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket, marking the first mission for both Astrobotic and Vulcan. The lander will undergo various maneuvers, including a lunar orbit insertion burn, before landing at Sinus Viscositatis. It will carry 21 payloads, including NASA instruments and the Iris rover from Carnegie Mellon University. The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, and Astrobotic is also involved in the development of a crewed lander for NASA's Artemis program.