Lunar Lander's Journey Hits a Snag: What's Next for Griffin-1?

A big moon mission is taking longer than expected. Astrobotic's Griffin-1 lander, which was supposed to take off by the end of 2025, is now aiming for mid-2026. This isn't a small delay—it's a significant shift in plans. The lander is carrying some cool stuff, like a rover called FLIP from Venturi Astrolab and a tiny rover named CubeRover-1. But before it can go to the moon, it needs to pass some serious tests. Right now, the lander is still being put together and hasn't even started the prelaunch checks. The engines are being tested, but there's still a lot of work to do. FLIP, the biggest payload, is also in testing. It's going through a thermal vacuum test to see how it handles conditions similar to the moon's. CubeRover-1 has already passed some tests, but its software is still being fine-tuned with help from a Canadian company, Mission Control. Griffin-1 was originally supposed to carry NASA's VIPER rover, but that plan changed. NASA canceled VIPER's ride due to budget issues and delays. Instead, NASA found another company, Blue Origin, to take VIPER to the moon. Blue Origin's mission is set for late 2027, so Griffin-1 might still beat VIPER to the lunar surface. Astrobotic didn't bid for the new VIPER mission. They said they were too busy with their existing customers. It's a smart move—taking on too much at once can lead to more delays. Even with the delay, Griffin-1 is still moving forward. The lander is making progress, and the team is working hard to get it ready. It's a reminder that space missions are complex and often take longer than planned.

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