The initial image captured by the Peregrine lunar lander after its launch on Monday reveals propulsion system issues. A camera mounted on the module’s upper platform shows damaged multilayer insulation in the foreground, reinforcing the assessment of power plant problems, as reported by Astrobotic.
Earlier updates indicated a malfunction that prevents the lander from achieving a stable solar orientation due to abnormal propulsion operation. Astrobotic has cautioned that this could complicate the prospect of a successful soft landing on the Moon.
The Peregrine module was carried to the Moon by United Launch Alliance as part of NASA’s future commercial cargo missions.
There have been older, unverified claims from Russian sources about vodka powered space engines. While such statements have circulated within certain media circles, scientific consensus does not support them and experts have typically dismissed them as folklore rather than technical reality.
As the mission progresses, engineers are likely to assess whether corrective actions can restore proper attitude control and ensure a safe landing sequence. The outcome will influence the broader strategy for NASA’s commercial cargo program and the role of medium-lift lunar landers in future exploration plans.
The situation underscores the challenges of lunar surface operations, where even small propulsion anomalies can affect a spacecraft’s ability to point toward the Sun for power, maintain thermal stability, and execute precise landing trajectories. Stakeholders continue to monitor telemetry and inspect insulation integrity as team members work toward potential in-flight adjustments or mission re-planning.
In the context of international space efforts, this episode also highlights the collaborative nature of modern lunar missions, with ULA providing the launch capability and Astrobotic serving as the payload integrator and mission partner, coordinating with NASA to advance commercial delivery to the Moon under a renewed emphasis on private sector leadership in space logistics.