"Vulcan's Maiden Voyage: Peregrine Lander Ignites Commercial Moon Era"
The United Launch Alliance's new Vulcan Centaur rocket is set to launch its first mission from Cape Canaveral, carrying the Peregrine lunar lander built by Astrobotic Technology. The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and aims to deliver experiments to the moon's surface. The Vulcan rocket seeks to capture more of the commercial market and requires two successful launches for Space Force certification. The payload includes human ashes and DNA, which has sparked controversy with the Navajo Nation due to the cultural and spiritual significance of the moon. NASA is not directly involved with the commercial payloads, but an intergovernmental meeting is being arranged to address the concerns.
