The space robotics manufacturer Astrobotic Technology unveiled its new 47,000 - satisfying - foot headquarters in Pittsburgh , Pennsylvania this week . The monumental facility will serve as mission control for its lunar loading delivery services and upcoming NASA contract , and I for one think they ’re missing a vast chance by not calling it a moonshine base .
So I ’m move to .
Astrobotic ’s new moonshine radix will see the development of its Peregrine and Griffin remotely operated lunar landers , both commission by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration to surrender shipment to the lunar surface . It will also put up the troupe ’s berth , labs , and fabrication sector , including a “ blank room ” and “ gamy true laurel ” for set up spacecraft , and is “ the large secret quickness in the world dedicated to lunar logistics , ” per a company pressure release .
Astrobotic systems engineer Ander Solorzano stands beside a test model of the company’s Peregrine lunar lander currently in development. It’s set to be the first American lander on the Moon since the Apollo missions.Photo: Astrobotic
Astrobotic has secured more than a XII commercial declaration around the globe for its lunar livery services . In May 2019 , it win a$79.5 million dealwith NASA to drive home payload of scientific cat’s-paw to the moonlight aboard Peregrine . Its missionary work , currently scheduled for July 2021 , is pose to make Peregrine the first American lander on the Moon since the Apollo deputation . In June , Astrobotic clinch another lucrative hand : a$199.5 million contractto ferrying NASA ’s VIPER rover to search for water near the Moon ’s south rod in 2023 .
“ You [ Astrobotic ] are currently leading the market with seventeen contracts in berth for your first mission with customers in seven countries , ” Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross said at Tuesday ’s ribbon - cutting ceremony . “ The Commerce Department will continue to make resources available to you and to the wide U.S. commercial outer space industry to ensure that we stay on the leader in space commerce . ”
During their time puttering about on the lunar surface , Peregrine and Griffin will be maneuver out of Astrobotic ’s Pittsburgh HQ . The synodic month base will also fabricate the troupe ’s “ lines of landers , rovers , autonomous spacecraft seafaring systems , and other space technology . ”
At Tuesday ’s ceremonial , Astrobotic chief operating officer John Thornton said the company ’s seen volatile growth over the preceding 18 months , and its Modern , top - of - the - line facility is significative of that recent success .
“ [ W]e produce from a staff of 18 to more than 100 employees , with two funded lander mission and a rover mission to the Moon , and multiple contract bridge to develop exciting new space technologies , ” he enjoin . “ It ’s still surreal . ”
Looking before , Astrobotic allege construction is currently underway to flesh out the facility by adding a rover test pit , a pilotless aircraft flight arena , and extra areas for offices , labs , and manufacture . Hopefully , they ’ll view give it a catchy lunar - themed name as well . So many good moon puns wasted !
lunarScience
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