Astrobotic Technology is an American space robotics company that’s changing lunar exploration with its commercial payload delivery services. Based in Pittsburgh, the company runs the world’s largest private lunar logistics facility and builds advanced spacecraft technology for moon missions.
Dr. Red Whittaker started Astrobotic Technology back in 2007, thanks to support from Carnegie Mellon University. Whittaker wanted to make space exploration not just possible, but practical and open to more people and organizations.
Astrobotic focuses on empowering a thriving human presence in space by using practical robotics. Their missions go beyond Earth, targeting the moon and other planets.
They offer affordable delivery services for governments, companies, universities, and even individuals. Clients use Astrobotic to send instruments, rovers, scientific gear, or personal mementos to the lunar surface.
Astrobotic sticks to a philosophy of using robotics in smart, practical ways to open up space for everyone. This mindset shapes their spacecraft designs, keeping costs down and making more ambitious missions a reality.
Astrobotic works out of a 47,000 square foot complex in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It’s the biggest private facility in the world focused on lunar logistics.
At this “Moon Base” headquarters, the team builds landers, rovers, and navigation systems for autonomous spacecraft. The Mission Control Center sits inside, where teams run payload operations directly.
The headquarters is on Pittsburgh’s North Side, just a stroll from places like PNC Park, Acrisure Stadium, and the Carnegie Science Center.
More than 130 people work at Astrobotic. Together, they bring over 1,000 years of space industry experience to the table.
The team blends engineers, mission designers, finance folks, and operations pros, all working toward one goal: making space more accessible.
Astrobotic grew rapidly after acquiring Masten Space Systems. This move brought in vertical takeoff and landing rocket tech, which is key for lunar surface work and tougher mission requirements.
Since 2007, the company has developed robotics for lunar and planetary missions. Their spacecraft designs aim for reliable, cost-effective moon deliveries.
Astrobotic lets clients book payloads for multiple lunar missions. They offer customizable missions and flight reservations.
Their technology lineup includes advanced landers, rovers, and robotic systems built to survive harsh space conditions.
NASA’s commercial lunar payload services program and private space ventures both rely on Astrobotic’s work. The company wants to help humans stay on the moon longer, and cut costs for future deep space travel.
Astrobotic has landed several NASA contracts through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, making it a big name in America’s lunar exploration plans. They also work with the European Space Agency, which helps them reach beyond the US.
NASA picked Astrobotic as a primary contractor for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This marks a shift—private companies now play a bigger role in lunar missions.
Their first big contract sent the Peregrine lunar lander to the Moon in January 2024. Peregrine was the first American commercial lunar lander to launch, though it hit propulsion trouble and didn’t make a full lunar landing.
Astrobotic also got a $199.5 million contract from NASA to deliver the VIPER rover with their Griffin lander. That’s the second CLPS mission for Astrobotic, showing NASA trusts their skills.
NASA supports Astrobotic’s tech development with $250,000 through the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program. These funds help Astrobotic build new tools for lunar exploration.
The company is also part of NASA’s Tipping Point program, joining 13 other American partners. This partnership aims to develop tech for NASA’s Moon to Mars efforts, with a total value of $43.2 million.
Astrobotic teams up with the European Space Agency (ESA) for lunar missions. These partnerships let European experiments and instruments hitch a ride to the moon on American landers.
By joining forces, partners can share costs and combine science goals. European teams bring specialized gear, while Astrobotic handles delivery and mission management.
These efforts support NASA’s Artemis campaign. The public-private approach makes lunar missions more sustainable and brings in international players.
Astrobotic also works with the Department of Defense. By diversifying, they strengthen their spot in the commercial space economy and help several government agencies at once.
Astrobotic operates two main lunar lander platforms. Peregrine, their small-class lander, handles precise lunar deliveries. Griffin, the heavy-lift lander, carries larger payloads for big commercial and government missions.
The Griffin lander is Astrobotic’s heavy-lift moon delivery system. It can carry much more than the Peregrine.
Griffin-1 is the main ride for Astrolab’s FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform rover. The lander will target the Nobile region near the moon’s south pole.
Key Design Features:
Griffin supports multiple payloads at once. Both government and private customers can book space for science gear or tech demos.
Missions with Griffin mostly focus on the lunar south pole. That area has water ice, which could help future space tourism with fuel and life support.
Peregrine is Astrobotic’s smaller lunar lander, with a 90 kg payload capacity. It can take on 20 different payloads in several deck setups.
Propulsion System Specs:
The lander has three ways to mount payloads: above-deck spots for sky views, below-deck for close-to-surface work, and enclosed decks for sensitive items.
Peregrine uses terrain relative navigation for pinpoint landings. Doppler LiDAR helps it spot hazards as it descends.
Power and Communications:
The spacecraft carries five NASA payloads under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. Universities, companies, and research groups add their own science instruments and tech demos.
Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission One marks a big step toward regular work at the Moon’s south pole. The mission will deliver advanced science gear and rovers to the Nobile Region, while testing how well commercial lunar delivery works.
Griffin Mission One aims to drop crucial payloads in one of the Moon’s most interesting spots. The Nobile Region near the lunar south pole holds craters that never see sunlight and might have water ice.
This area has some unique perks. Sunlight sticks around on high ridges, but shadowed spots stay cold and could be full of useful materials.
The mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which supports the Artemis campaign by testing tech for sustained lunar presence.
Key mission objectives:
The Griffin lander will deal with wild temperature swings, from -230°F in shadows to 250°F in the sun.
Griffin Mission One brings together payloads from several groups and countries. The FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform (FLIP) is the main payload, taking the spot after NASA’s VIPER rover got cancelled.
FLIP will show off mobile operations and do surface exploration. It’s Venturi Astrolab’s tech platform for future lunar work.
NASA adds the Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) for precise measurements. This tool helps future missions get accurate positioning data.
The European Space Agency sends LandCam-X for landing and surface imaging. It’s another example of international teamwork in lunar exploration.
Other payloads:
These payloads mix science with commercial goals. The mission tests new tech and helps us learn more about the lunar south pole.
Peregrine Mission One delivered valuable science payloads from several countries and gave engineers key insights for future lunar missions. The mission showed that commercial lunar payload services work and helped boost international space collaboration.
Peregrine Mission One carried 20 payloads from six countries—a big milestone for commercial lunar services. NASA sent five science instruments through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, including radiation sensors and spectrometers to study the moon’s environment.
The mission’s roster was impressively international. Germany’s DLR agency provided radiation monitors, Mexico added instruments from its universities, and the UK and Hungary also joined with their own payloads.
Commercial customers brought something different: memorial flights with human remains and DNA samples, showing how the space market is branching out beyond just science.
This diverse payload mix proves commercial lunar missions can serve lots of customers at once. It saves organizations money and opens up new business for space companies.
Peregrine Mission One didn’t make it to the lunar surface, but it racked up some impressive technical milestones during a 10-day journey through space. The spacecraft operated in deep space, sending back a wealth of data on how commercial lunar landers perform out there.
The mission put key systems to the test: power generation, thermal management, comms—the works. Engineers gathered a ton of telemetry that’ll shape future lunar landing attempts.
Dr. John Horack’s team dove into the propulsion system, pulling out insights for better spacecraft design. They published their findings to give the whole commercial space industry a leg up.
The controlled reentry over the South Pacific showed how to handle responsible space operations. By safely disposing of the craft, the mission protected people and marine life, sticking to global space debris rules.
All these lessons? They’ll make future commercial lunar missions smoother and more accessible, whether for science or business.
Astrobotic plays a major part in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. It delivers scientific instruments and commercial payloads to the Moon. By joining in, Astrobotic opens lunar access to a wider range of customers, all while pushing America’s exploration goals forward.
CLPS is changing the game for lunar exploration. It’s not just NASA anymore—now there’s a commercial marketplace for Moon deliveries.
NASA gives contracts to private companies like Astrobotic. These companies haul scientific gear, tech demos, and research payloads to specific lunar spots.
Astrobotic landed a $79.5 million CLPS contract to take 14 NASA payloads to the Moon with its Peregrine lander. On its first mission, the company carried 28 payloads from 8 countries—everything from science instruments to commercial items.
The service model is flexible. Government agencies send research gear to study lunar resources or test new tech. Universities ship student-built experiments and little rovers. Private companies try out commercial products in the harsh lunar environment.
Payload categories include:
Astrobotic takes care of payload integration, testing, and delivery. Customers hand over their devices, and Astrobotic manages the complicated business of getting them to the Moon and set up.
Commercial lunar payload services are opening up the Moon to everyone—not just the big space agencies. Countries without their own lunar programs can get involved by working with CLPS contractors like Astrobotic.
Peregrine’s mission showed this reach, hauling payloads for Mexico, Germany, Hungary, Japan, and the UK. Even small nations and organizations can get lunar capabilities without building their own rockets or spacecraft.
CLPS brings real competition to lunar access. With several companies battling for contracts, prices drop compared to old-school, government-only programs. That’s a win for research groups and commercial customers looking for affordable Moon missions.
The program also supports NASA’s Artemis campaign by testing tech and scouting landing sites before humans arrive. Astrobotic’s Griffin mission aims for the lunar south pole in 2025, delivering rovers and instruments to this crucial area.
Private companies also gain from proven lunar delivery. Every successful CLPS mission boosts a contractor’s reputation and opens new markets for lunar transportation beyond NASA.
Astrobotic leads the way in lunar surface mobility with two main approaches: the advanced FLIP rover deployment system and the clever CubeRover technology that brings Moon exploration within reach for more people.
Astrobotic teams up with Venturi Astrolab on the FLIP rover, a fresh take on lunar surface vehicles. The FLIP rover adapts to different lunar terrains with flexible deployment.
This partnership blends Astrobotic’s landing skills with Venturi Astrolab’s rover know-how. The FLIP system hauls big payloads across the Moon’s surface.
The modular design lets mission planners tweak configurations to fit their goals. It carries both science gear and commercial payloads for longer lunar stays.
The FLIP rover talks directly to Earth, so it doesn’t need relay satellites or extra lunar infrastructure.
CubeRover tech is changing lunar exploration with its lightweight, modular build—some units weigh just four kilograms. That’s a big deal for flight costs and makes Moon missions possible for smaller teams.
CubeRover uses a modular “U” system, like CubeSats. Each one fits a 10x10x10cm compartment for science gear or tech demos.
Astrobotic ran more than 150 mobility tests in lunar-simulation labs, trying out 11 different wheel setups. These tests proved the rover can handle all sorts of lunar terrain.
The company offers mobility as a service at $4.5 million per kilogram of mobile payload delivered to the Moon. That covers everything, from start to finish, using Peregrine or Griffin landers.
CubeRovers can work solo or link up for bigger missions. The system supplies power, comms, and mobility for extended operations on the surface.
Astrobotic’s lunar payload systems take care of cargo all the way from Earth to the Moon’s surface. Specialized landers and supporting infrastructure make it happen. The engineering team focuses on flexible payload integration while sticking to strict safety rules every step of the way.
Astrobotic supports customers from contract signing to mission wrap-up. Their Payload Customer Service Program connects clients with managers and engineers who make sure each payload works with their lunar landers.
Integration starts with detailed technical talks between Astrobotic engineers and payload customers. They hash out power needs, comms protocols, and mounting specs for every payload.
Payload customers get:
Peregrine and Griffin landers handle different sizes and mission types. Griffin carries bigger stuff and can even deliver infrastructure like the VSAT-XL solar array system, which generates 50 kW for long lunar operations.
Safety drives every part of Astrobotic’s payload operations, from launch prep to surface deployment. Engineers run lots of tests to make sure payloads can survive launch, space radiation, and landing impacts.
Once a lander touches down, it switches from transport mode to local support systems. That takes careful power management and coordination between all the payloads sharing the ride.
Key engineering factors:
Astrobotic’s infrastructure is built for the long haul. Systems like LunaGrid link multiple solar arrays and storage units, supplying steady electricity for missions that last months or even years.
The VSAT-XL solar array is the biggest planned lunar power system out there. It stands over 30 meters tall, with 20-meter solar panels, supporting resource extraction and permanent habitats that need serious energy.
Astrobotic built specialized systems to handle the Moon’s tricky terrain and deploy equipment where it’s needed. These technologies help rovers move across craters, rocks, and polar regions, all while setting up power for longer missions.
Astrobotic equips its rovers with advanced navigation systems for the Moon’s tough surface. They’re designed to handle wild temperature swings and, of course, there’s no GPS up there.
The rovers use computer vision and sensor fusion to map terrain in real time. They spot safe paths around craters and boulders. This tech helps avoid risky areas during surface ops.
Navigation highlights:
Astrobotic put these navigation tools to the test during NASA’s Nighttime Precision Landing Challenge. They built fake lunar surfaces to make sure their landing and terrain systems worked.
Astrobotic’s LunaGrid is the first commercial power service for lunar operations. It uses Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) to generate electricity while the sun’s up.
Deployment starts when a Griffin lander arrives. Then, VSAT arrays pop up vertically to soak up sunlight. The VSAT-XL setup can crank out up to 50 kW.
Wireless charging stations and tethered CubeRovers distribute power to landers, habitats, and science gear all over the surface. Each VSAT comes with transformers and power management for the grid.
The system survives lunar night and can run for years. Astrobotic plans to launch the first LunaGrid demo in 2026, aiming for the south pole.
Astrobotic has rolled out advanced power systems built for the Moon’s unique challenges. Their vertical solar array technology and distributed power grids keep missions running at the lunar south pole.
Astrobotic’s Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT) is a real leap forward in lunar power. The system rises over 30 feet above the surface to catch sunlight.
That vertical setup is key. At the Moon’s south pole, the sun hangs low all year, so horizontal panels just don’t cut it.
VSAT features:
The team tested a 10 kW VSAT system and got the whole thing—electronics, gimbals, structure—assembled in 12 weeks. The gimbal tracks the sun and keeps things stable.
NASA wants vertical arrays at least 32 feet tall. Astrobotic’s design beats that and can even move around if needed.
Astrobotic has scaled up its tech with the VSAT-XL system, taking things to an industrial level. This massive vertical solar array stands over 98 feet tall and pulls 50 kilowatts of power from solar panels that stretch 65 feet.
NASA handed Astrobotic a Phase II contract to build VSAT-XL prototypes. The company mounts the system on its Griffin lander, making it the biggest lunar power setup anyone’s planned so far.
Redwire Space’s Roll Out Solar Arrays (ROSA) form the backbone of VSAT-XL. These components have already worked well on the International Space Station. The system tracks the sun, self-levels, and can even retract for a move if needed.
LunaGrid isn’t just about one power system. Instead, it connects several VSAT units to build a networked lunar power grid. Their service delivers electricity by the watt to landers, rovers, habitats—pretty much any lunar equipment you can think of.
With LunaGrid, missions get a real shot at surviving the Moon’s 14-day night. The system paves the way for in-situ resource use and long-term habitats, which just weren’t possible before without steady power.
Astrobotic keeps pushing its lunar delivery services forward, always working on new tech to help humans stay on the Moon for the long haul. They’re really focused on building sustainable infrastructure that works for both robots and, eventually, people.
Astrobotic doesn’t just deliver payloads. They’re designing custom rovers and sensor systems for autonomous missions on the Moon.
Their co-localization tech lets teams of rovers work together more smoothly. Multiple robotic vehicles can figure out where they are compared to each other, which really speeds up exploration and makes missions more productive.
NASA’s VIPER rover will hitch a ride to the Moon’s south pole on Astrobotic’s Griffin lander. This mission puts Astrobotic’s complex robotic deployment skills to the test in some of the toughest lunar terrain.
Astrobotic’s mission planning software gives engineers and scientists the tools to design rover operations. The system takes into account changing conditions, what the rovers can handle, and safety needs when it maps out exploration routes.
Astrobotic builds navigation and landing systems for repeat lunar missions. Their terrain-relative navigation and hazard detection tech helps them land right where they need to on the Moon.
The UltraNav smart camera offers visual navigation for both spacecraft and rovers. It’s compact and uses computer vision to support rendezvous, autonomous travel, and precision landings.
AstroNav software helps spacecraft explore dark places like lunar caves and lava tubes. By combining different sensors, the system creates accurate maps and figures out position even where there’s no GPS.
LunaRay simulation software models lunar lighting conditions with surprising detail. Mission planners use it to design landings and rover paths in polar regions, where shadows can shift wildly during the lunar day.
Astrobotic runs several lunar missions, handles payload deliveries, partners with NASA, and offers all sorts of roles in engineering and space operations. Their leadership team has some serious aerospace chops, and their landers and rovers keep pushing Moon exploration forward.
Astrobotic focuses on delivering lunar payloads for all kinds of customers—companies, governments, universities, and even individuals. Their spacecraft can carry several payloads in one trip, making Moon missions more affordable for everyone.
They’ve joined NASA as an official partner through the Lunar CATALYST program. Working with NASA’s decades of experience helps Astrobotic boost their commercial lunar delivery services.
Astrobotic has landed over a dozen NASA contracts for different space missions. That track record says a lot about their reliability as a space contractor.
The MoonBox program is one of their more public-facing efforts. It lets people send personal items to the Moon, creating time capsules that’ll stay up there.
Astrobotic offers jobs across aerospace fields at their Pittsburgh headquarters. They focus on space robotics, navigation, and spacecraft ops.
Engineering roles cover spacecraft design, navigation, and computing tech. You’ll need skills in robotics, aerospace, or space systems to fit in here.
Operations roles support mission planning and spacecraft management. They want people who can handle tricky lunar mission requirements and integrate payloads.
Space tech development is another route at Astrobotic. These folks build advanced systems for landers and rovers.
John Thornton leads Astrobotic as CEO, setting the company’s strategy and overseeing missions.
The leadership team brings deep experience in aerospace and robotics. Their backgrounds include NASA partnerships, commercial space, and advanced spacecraft systems.
Astrobotic, founded in 2007, relies on space industry veterans. The team’s goal is to make space more accessible with innovative lunar delivery.
Astrobotic is still a private company focused on building up its lunar mission capabilities. They’ve raised funds from investors, NASA, and government programs.
Their current funding comes from grants and private investment, not public markets. The Redevelopment Assistance Capital Program has also supported them financially.
For now, Astrobotic is growing its lunar services without any IPO plans. They’re sticking with their mission and tech development.
Astrobotic keeps improving navigation and computing systems for their lunar rovers. These upgrades make it possible to move and operate precisely on the Moon’s rough surface.
Their rovers can team up with landers to deliver payloads to more places on the Moon. That really extends the reach of any mission.
Their robotics tech is built to handle extreme lunar conditions, like big temperature swings and harsh solar radiation. These systems keep sensitive gear safe and working.
Rover navigation uses advanced sensors and computing for autonomous operation. That means less need for constant control from Earth during missions.
Astrobotic’s lunar landers actually deliver payloads right to the Moon’s surface. They carry scientific instruments, commercial gear, and research materials.
NASA teams up with Astrobotic through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. This partnership pushes scientific research and space exploration forward.
By taking on several customers at once, Astrobotic helps make lunar missions more affordable. Universities, companies, and government agencies can split the cost and fly together.
The landers leave behind permanent setups on the Moon for future missions to use. These platforms can support ongoing research and maybe even help us reach farther into space.
