ULA and Astrobotic aim to launch the first commercial robotic mission to the moon on January 8. The mission is part of NASA’s CLPS initiative and Artemis program. The launch will take place at 2:18 a.m. EST from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida. NASA will provide live launch coverage on various platforms including NASA TV, the NASA app, and the agency’s website. The Peregrine lunar lander will carry NASA science payloads and is expected to land on the Moon on February 23.
Before the launch, NASA will host prelaunch events including a science media briefing on January 4, and a lunar delivery readiness media teleconference on January 5. On the launch day, NASA will provide live coverage beginning at 1:30 a.m. EST. The public can also attend the launch virtually and engage on social media using the hashtag #Artemis.
This mission is part of NASA’s effort to send a regular cadence of deliveries to the Moon in support of the Artemis program. The deadline for media accreditation for in-person coverage of the launch has passed, but media can contact ULA or Astrobotic for inquiries. Additionally, those interested in learning more about NASA’s CLPS initiative can visit the NASA website.
For interviews or Spanish coverage at Kennedy Space Center, media can contact Antonia Jaramillo or Messod Bendayan. Contact information for NASA media representatives is provided at the end of the article.