First-ever liftoff for both vehicles

  • Vulcan Centaur rocket and Peregrine moon lander set for historic Jan. 8 launch
  • First-ever liftoff for both vehicles
  • Launch readiness reviews successful
  • 85% chance of favorable weather for launch
  • Peregrine aims for a soft touchdown on the moon, a feat no private spacecraft has achieved before
  • Part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program
  • Carrying five scientific payloads and commercial payloads
  • Vulcan Centaur to replace Atlas V and Delta IV launchers
  • Debut of Vulcan Centaur delayed due to development issues and rocket explosion

The United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan Centaur rocket and the private Peregrine moon lander are scheduled for a historic launch on January 8. This will be the first-ever liftoff for both vehicles. The launch readiness reviews have been successful, and the weather forecast indicates an 85% chance of favorable conditions. Peregrine, built by Astrobotic, aims to achieve a soft touchdown on the moon, a feat that no private spacecraft has accomplished before. It is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and will carry five scientific payloads and commercial payloads. The Vulcan Centaur rocket, standing at 202 feet tall, will replace ULA’s Atlas V and Delta IV launchers. Its debut was delayed due to development issues and a rocket explosion during testing.

Public Companies: United Launch Alliance (ULA) (N/A)
Private Companies: Astrobotic, Celestis, Elysium Space
Key People: Gary Wentz (Vice President of Government and Commercial Programs at ULA), Melody Lovin (Launch Weather Officer at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron), Joel Kearns (Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate)

Factuality Level: 8
Justification: The article provides factual information about the upcoming launch of ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket and the Peregrine lunar lander. It includes quotes from ULA representatives and information about the mission objectives and payloads. The article does not contain any irrelevant or misleading information, sensationalism, redundancy, or opinion masquerading as fact. It focuses on the main topic and provides accurate and objective information.

Noise Level: 7
Justification: The article provides information about the upcoming launch of ULA’s Vulcan Centaur rocket and the Peregrine lunar lander. It includes details about the launch schedule, weather conditions, and the mission objectives. The article also mentions the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and the future plans for lunar exploration. However, there is some repetitive information and the article does not provide a deep analysis or new insights.

Financial Relevance: No
Financial Markets Impacted: No

Presence of Extreme Event: No
Nature of Extreme Event: No
Impact Rating of the Extreme Event: No
Justification: The article is about the upcoming launch of a new rocket and a private moon lander. It does not pertain to financial topics or provide any information on events that impact financial markets or companies. There is no mention of an extreme event.

Reported publicly: www.space.com