Astrobotic Technology
Astrobotic Technology is an American private aerospace company focused on providing Lunar Exploration services. The company was founded in 2007 by a group of Carnegie Mellon University robotics researchers led by John Thornton, with the aim of making lunar exploration more accessible through commercial means.
History
The origins of Astrobotic Technology trace back to Carnegie Mellon University's Robotics Institute. The company was officially established to compete in the Google Lunar XPRIZE, a competition which incentivized teams to land a robot on the Moon and have it travel at least 500 meters. Although the competition ended without a winner, Astrobotic continued its mission to provide commercial lunar services.
Key Projects
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Peregrine Lander - This is Astrobotic's first lunar lander, designed to carry up to 90 kg of payload to the Moon. The Peregrine Mission One was planned to be the first commercial mission to the lunar surface, with a launch scheduled in 2021, although delays have pushed this back.
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Griffin Lander - A larger lander, capable of delivering up to 500 kg of payload. It's intended for more substantial scientific missions or for transporting larger cargo to the lunar surface.
Technological Innovations
Astrobotic has developed several technologies to facilitate lunar missions:
- Autonomous landing systems that allow the landers to choose safe landing spots on the Moon.
- Advanced navigation and control software for precise landing and operations on the lunar surface.
- Custom-built rovers and payloads tailored for specific mission requirements.
Partnerships and Contracts
Astrobotic Technology has secured several significant contracts:
- Contracts with NASA for delivering scientific payloads to the Moon as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
- Partnerships with international space agencies and private companies to expand its mission capabilities.
Future Prospects
Astrobotic aims to make the Moon a more accessible destination for scientific research, commercial activities, and eventually, human settlement. The company's vision includes:
- Regular lunar delivery services.
- Support for in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) experiments.
- Development of infrastructure for sustained human presence on the Moon.
External Links
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