Astrobotic’s Moon Lander to Disintegrate in Earth's Atmosphere Following Malfunction

The malfunction, caused by a stuck valve leading to a fuel leak, forces the lander carrying various scientific instruments and human remains to return to Earth, preventing it from becoming hazardous space debris.

Astrobotic’s Peregrine One moon lander, which was supposed to land on the Moon in late February, is now headed back to Earth due to a malfunction and will disintegrate in Earth’s upper atmosphere.
The malfunction occurred shortly after the mission's launch from Cape Canaveral on January 8, when a valve between the spacecraft’s oxidizer tank and a tank of high-pressure helium got stuck in the open position, leading to a fuel leak.
The lander was carrying several instruments for NASA, a lunar rover from Carnegie Mellon University, and several other privately-funded instruments and experiments, all of which will be lost.
The lander also carries the cremated remains of Star Trek creator Gene Roddenberry and several actors from the original series, as well as DNA samples from several former U.S. presidents.
The return to Earth is based on recommendations from NASA, other U.S. government agencies, and other members of “the space community” to prevent Peregrine from turning into a potentially hazardous piece of space debris orbiting the Moon or Earth.

Voice of America (VOA News)

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