by UK scientists have built a private instrument-carrying spacecraft to make history as it begins its journey to the moon.
Built by the US space company Astrobiotic, the Falcon Mission One (PM1) is to be the first private probe to land on the lunar surface.
It is also planned to be one of the first US moon landings since the final mission of the Apollo program – Apollo 17 – was completed more than 50 years ago.
On board will be an instrument called the Hawk ion Trap Spectrometer (PITMS), developed by scientists from the Open University (OU) and the Science Technology Facilities Council (STFC) RAL Space – the UK’s national space laboratory.
The device will analyze the thin lunar atmosphere as well as find out more about how water might be moving around the moon.
For many years, scientists believed that the moon was bone dry and any water found in the samples from the Apollo missions was thought to be contamination from Earth.
However, later missions showed the presence of water and, in 2020, NASA confirmed the presence of water molecules in the solar regions of the moon.
Dr Simeon Barber, from the Open University, said: “Various new data over the past decade have debunked the concept of the Apollo era as a bone dry place.
“We’ve seen hints of ice at the cold lunar poles, and hints of water (or the related hydroxyl molecule) throughout, as well as new analyzes of Apollo samples that show small pockets of water within the lunar rock itself.”
Understanding the lunar water cycle is critical to future lunar exploration.
Water is a critical resource for maintaining a human presence on the moon – providing drinking water as well as supporting various industrial processes.
Dr Barber said: “We are interested in how these water molecules travel through the lunar exosphere (atmosphere) under the influence of day-night temperature cycles, reaching the extremely cold polar regions where they gather they slowly as layers of frost or ice.
“This transport through the atmosphere is the link that connects the various sources of water, and their eventual fate is locked in cold polar traps.
“PITMS will measure the composition and density of the moon’s exosphere throughout the lunar day, allowing us to understand the processes at play on the moon today, and by extension, throughout the history of the moon and other similar planetary bodies. “
The launch window for the Hawk lander opens on January 8 at 7.18am UK time.
The spacecraft will blast off aboard a Vulcan Centaur rocket, built by US aerospace manufacturer United Launch Alliance, from Cape Canaveral in Florida.
It is part of NASA’s Commercial Payload Services initiative, which aims to involve commercial companies in lunar exploration.
Meanwhile, the initiative is part of NASA’s broader Artemis program, which plans to return humans to the moon.
Libby Jackson, head of space exploration at the UK Space Agency – which provided £14 million of funding to develop the instrument through its European Space Agency membership, said: “The Falcon Lunar Lander will help pave the way for further exploration on our solar system. .
“To send the first instrument from the UK, and indeed from Europe, to the moon is very exciting.
“We hope to see Hawk safely on the surface and bring back important data from PITMS to help unlock the secrets of water on the moon.
“It’s great to see our UK-trained experts at the heart of an international mission that will support a future long-term presence in space.”
Chris Howe, group head of product and software at STFC RAL Space, said: “The use of lunar water could be vital to future human endeavors in space, so we are extremely proud to have the opportunity to help PITMS was developed and we are extremely proud of it. to see him safely on his way.”
Assuming a January 8 launch, officials say the spacecraft could attempt a lunar landing on February 23.
His destination is an area in the Gruithuisen Domes, a series of volcanic domes named after the German astronomer Franz von Gruithuisen.
Once on the surface, the Hawk lander is designed to operate for about two weeks – or one lunar day.
Mr Howe said: “Technology from PITMS will now help support future missions, such as the Rosalind Franklin Rover, so although PITMS will only operate for one lunar day on the moon, its legacy will be felt for of years.”
Science and Technology Secretary Michelle Donelan said: “The upcoming launch of the Peregrine Lunar Lander demonstrates the tireless commitment of our brilliant British scientists, working hand-in-hand with international partners.
“The first British science instrument to touch down on the lunar surface will be a pivotal moment for the UK space industry, and the start of an exciting journey to understand how we can sustain a long-term human presence on the moon. “
