Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic Technology’s Peregrine lander will carry out the first American mission the moon in more than 50 years, thanks to Pennsylvania’s investment, Gov. Josh Shapiro said.
Shapiro’s administration has invested millions into Astrobotic, his office said, helping the company lead America back to the moon, as well as grow the company and the state’s economy.
The Peregrine lander launched Jan. 8 from Space Coast in Brevard County, FL and is scheduled to reach the moon in late February. Loaded with a total of 20 payloads including five from NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, the lander also includes payload teams with missions varying from seeking water-ice near the lunar surface to demonstrating a rover swarm. Several of the payloads also represent humanity through artwork and historical artifacts, officials said.
“Pennsylvania is headed to the moon – and I’m proud my administration played a part in this historic launch, investing in Astrobotic to spur innovation, create jobs, and grow our Commonwealth’s economy,” Shapiro said. “We will continue to support and invest in the Commonwealth’s existing high-tech businesses like Astrobotic, as well as other innovative companies looking to come Pennsylvania. We’re working to make Pennsylvania a true hub of innovation, and today’s historic lunar lander mission is a major achievement that shows how Pennsylvania are leading the way.”
In November, Shapiro’s administration announced a $4.38 million investment into the company to create a “space campus” that would create jobs, spur innovation and invest in new technologies. Astrobotic is renovating a new $20 million facility that will create nearly 300 new high-tech jobs and retain 174 employees. Shapiro’s office said the company received offers from other states, including Florida and Texas, to relocate but chose to stay in Pennsylvania.
“This launch symbolizes not just the hard work of hundreds of Pennsylvanians at Astrobotic and our suppliers, it also heralds the beginning of a new era of space industry growth in the Commonwealth,” Astrobotic CEO John Thorton said. “We’re proud to use this moment to show the world that if Pennsylvania can land on the Moon, Pennsylvania can do anything.”