First U.S. moon landing in 50 years: Vulcan rocket launched
First U.S. moon landing in 50 years: Vulcan rocket launched (Getty Images)
A private company's robot spaceship is heading to the moon to land there, marking the first successful U.S. moon landing in 50 years, according to Reuters.
It launched on a new powerful rocket, called Vulcan, made by Boeing and Lockheed Martin. The launch happened at 2:18 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral, Florida. The company, Astrobotic, is excited about the mission, as it will be the first time a private company achieves a lunar landing.
"This is the moment we've been waiting for for 16 years," Astrobotic CEO John Thornton said.
The launch is crucial for United Launch Alliance (ULA), a joint venture of Boeing and Lockheed, because it wants to replace its old rocket and compete with SpaceX. The success of this mission is also important for ULA to get approval from the U.S. Space Force for future military missions.
The robot spaceship, named Peregrine, is on a 46-day journey to the moon. It carries scientific instruments to study the lunar surface. If the mission is successful, it will be a significant step for NASA's Artemis program, planning to send humans back to the moon. The company is hopeful about achieving what other countries and private companies have found challenging in recent years.
Check out also Blue Origin, Jeff Bezos' space venture, successfully launched a rocket New Shepard, marking its first flight since a mishap over a year ago due to engine trouble.
