In a surprising turn of events, the much-anticipated moon mission, a joint venture between cryptocurrency trading platform BitMEX and private tech firm Astrobotic, is set to end in a spectacular failure. The mission, which aimed to take Bitcoin literally ‘to the moon’, will see the lunar lander and its crypto cargo burn up as it re-enters Earth’s atmosphere.
Astrobotic’s mission was to make the moon “accessible to everyone” by launching the Peregrine spacecraft on its first mission. The spacecraft allowed buyers to send various items to the moon, including telescopes, rovers, and even brand deals. BitMEX paid to send a physical Bitcoin, engraved with the private key to a wallet holding 1 BTC.
However, on January 15, following a catastrophic propellant leak and issues with its solar panels, Astrobotic announced that Peregrine would not only fail to land on the moon but is also hurtling back to Earth. The spacecraft is expected to burn up in our atmosphere.
Astrobotic’s Efforts to Stabilize the Peregrine Spacecraft
In light of the challenges posed by the propulsion system, the Astrobotic Mission Team has been diligently working to ensure the vehicle’s stability. They have successfully activated all payloads, paving the way for data collection. The team’s projections indicate that the spacecraft retains sufficient propellant for maintaining sun pointing and executing minor maneuvers.
The decision to let the spacecraft burn up during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere was made after receiving inputs from the space community and the U.S. Government. This decision was taken to protect satellites in Earth orbit and ensure no debris is created in cislunar space.
The unfortunate end of this mission serves as a reminder of the challenges and risks associated with space exploration. Despite the setback, the efforts of the Astrobotic Mission Team in handling this situation responsibly and safely are commendable. As the space industry continues to grow and evolve, lessons learned from missions like these will undoubtedly contribute to future successes.
