Astrobotic
Company Information
Headquarters
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA
Year Founded
2007
Industries
Aerospace, Lunar Exploration, Space Robotics, Space Transportation, Planetary Science, Space Infrastructure, Space Research
What Is Astrobotic?
Astrobotic is a space technology company developing spacecraft and robotic systems for lunar exploration and surface operations. Its technology includes the Peregrine and Griffin lunar landers, CubeRover robotic vehicles, and autonomous landing systems. The company provides lunar payload transportation and integration services for government agencies, research institutions, and commercial organizations. It also develops the LunaGrid surface power architecture and operates reusable rocket vehicles for testing navigation and landing technologies. Astrobotic became part of Voyager Technologies in 2026 and continues developing lunar transportation, robotic mobility, and surface infrastructure for future Moon missions.
What Does Astrobotic Do?
Astrobotic designs, manufactures, and operates spacecraft intended to transport scientific instruments, robotic vehicles, and other payloads to the Moon. Its services include spacecraft engineering, payload integration, mission planning, launch coordination, and lunar mission operations.
The company develops Peregrine and Griffin lunar landers for different payload requirements. Peregrine accommodates smaller instruments and spacecraft, while Griffin is designed to transport larger equipment, including lunar rovers and infrastructure systems.
Astrobotic also develops CubeRover, a compact robotic mobility platform for carrying scientific instruments across the lunar surface. The rover uses independently driven wheels, onboard cameras, navigation software, and communications systems to support exploration activities.
Its engineering portfolio includes autonomous landing technology, terrain-relative navigation, hazard detection, and reusable rocket test vehicles. These systems are used to develop and validate spacecraft guidance and control technologies before lunar missions.
For longer-duration lunar operations, Astrobotic is developing LunaGrid, a surface power architecture that combines vertical solar arrays, energy management systems, and power distribution equipment. The company also supports NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and other government and commercial lunar missions.
Astrobotic Technology
Astrobotic develops spacecraft systems for lunar transportation, autonomous landing, robotic mobility, and surface infrastructure. Its technologies combine propulsion, spacecraft avionics, optical navigation, robotic mechanisms, communications, power systems, and mission control software.
Its lunar transportation architecture includes the Peregrine and Griffin landers. Peregrine is designed to carry up to 90 kilograms of payload, while Griffin accommodates up to 625 kilograms. Both platforms provide structural mounting interfaces, power, communications, propulsion, and guidance systems for delivering equipment to lunar destinations.
The landers use propulsion systems for trajectory correction, lunar orbit insertion, and powered descent. Peregrine incorporates five main engines, while Griffin uses seven main engines and attitude control thrusters. Their avionics process spacecraft sensor data to estimate position, velocity, and orientation during different mission phases.
For precision landing, Astrobotic develops Optical Precision Autonomous Landing (OPAL), a terrain-relative navigation technology that compares camera images with stored surface maps. The system estimates spacecraft position during descent, helping navigation software guide a lander toward its target without relying on satellite navigation signals.
Its landing technology also includes Doppler LiDAR and hazard detection systems that measure distance, velocity, and surface conditions. Astrobotic has tested these technologies using helicopters and reusable rocket vehicles, demonstrating the ability to identify terrain hazards as small as approximately 15 centimeters during terrestrial flight testing.
Astrobotic’s CubeRover platform uses a modular four-wheel architecture for transporting small scientific payloads. Available in 2U, 4U, and 6U configurations, CubeRover incorporates independently driven wheels, visual-inertial navigation, onboard cameras, and software for planning surface movements. The company is also developing wireless charging capabilities for extended lunar operations.
For lunar surface infrastructure, Astrobotic is developing LunaGrid, which combines vertical solar arrays with energy storage, power management, and distribution systems. Its architecture is intended to deliver electricity to spacecraft, robotic vehicles, and scientific equipment operating near the lunar poles.
The company operates reusable vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing rocket vehicles, including Xodiac, to test sensors, guidance algorithms, and spacecraft payloads in controlled terrestrial flight environments. These vehicles allow engineers to evaluate landing technologies before integrating them into spacecraft intended for the Moon.
Why Astrobotic Matters
Lunar exploration requires spacecraft capable of transporting equipment, landing on difficult terrain, and supporting operations in an environment with limited infrastructure. These requirements create technical challenges involving navigation, mobility, communications, and electrical power.
Astrobotic’s Peregrine and Griffin lunar landers provide commercial spacecraft platforms designed to transport scientific and operational payloads to the Moon. Their different capacities allow missions to accommodate instruments ranging from small experiments to large robotic vehicles.
Its precision landing and CubeRover technologies support the development of autonomous spacecraft operations and mobile scientific exploration. These capabilities are relevant to missions that must navigate hazardous terrain and conduct experiments away from landing sites.
The company’s LunaGrid development addresses the need for electrical power during extended lunar missions. Combined with payload transportation and robotic mobility, surface power distribution could support future scientific installations and longer-duration lunar operations.
Astrobotic Products & Platforms
Peregrine Lunar Lander
Peregrine is a robotic lunar lander designed to transport scientific instruments, technology demonstrations, and small spacecraft to the Moon. It supports payloads weighing up to 90 kilograms, with mounting options above and below its structural decks. The spacecraft integrates propulsion, autonomous navigation, power, and communications systems. Peregrine Mission One launched in January 2024 but did not complete its planned lunar landing because of a propulsion anomaly. NASA has selected Astrobotic for additional Peregrine missions planned for 2028.
Griffin Lunar Lander
Griffin is a medium-class lunar lander designed to deliver larger spacecraft, rovers, and infrastructure equipment to the lunar surface. It supports a payload capacity of up to 625 kilograms and includes mounting interfaces, optional rover deployment ramps, and autonomous landing technology. Its navigation system incorporates Doppler LiDAR and terrain-relative navigation for controlled descent. Griffin-1 completed environmental testing in October 2026 and is being prepared for its planned lunar mission.
CubeRover
CubeRover is a compact robotic vehicle designed to transport instruments and conduct experiments on the lunar surface. It is available in standardized 2U, 4U, and 6U configurations, allowing payloads to be integrated into different vehicle sizes. The rover uses independently driven wheels, onboard cameras, visual-inertial navigation, and remote operations software. Its mobility system has been tested on simulated lunar soil and rocky terrain. A 2U CubeRover was integrated with Griffin-1 in April 2026 for the BEACON technology demonstration.
LunaGrid Lunar Surface Power
LunaGrid is a lunar surface power infrastructure concept designed to generate, distribute, and manage electricity for equipment operating on the Moon. The architecture combines vertical solar arrays, power management electronics, energy distribution systems, and robotic vehicles. It is intended to supply electrical power to lunar rovers, scientific instruments, and surface installations, particularly in polar regions where access to sunlight varies with terrain and location. LunaGrid remains a development program rather than an established operational lunar utility.
Vertical Solar Array Technology (VSAT)
Vertical Solar Array Technology is a deployable solar power system being developed by Astrobotic with support from NASA. Unlike conventional flat-mounted spacecraft solar panels, VSAT uses a vertical structure intended to capture sunlight near the lunar poles. The system is designed to support lunar power generation and surface energy distribution and forms part of the proposed LunaGrid infrastructure. Its deployment mechanisms, structural systems, and power electronics are being developed for lunar environmental conditions.
OPAL — Optical Precision Autonomous Landing
OPAL is Astrobotic’s terrain-relative navigation technology for autonomous spacecraft landing. It uses camera images and preloaded terrain maps to estimate spacecraft position during descent. Its onboard computer compares observed surface features with reference imagery and supplies navigation measurements to the lander’s guidance and control system. OPAL has undergone terrestrial flight testing and is designed to support precision landing in environments without GPS, including the lunar surface.
Hazard Detection and Avoidance System
Astrobotic develops hazard detection technology that combines optical sensors, scanning LiDAR, and onboard processing to evaluate landing terrain. The system identifies surface features such as rocks, slopes, and craters and provides information for selecting safer landing locations. In 2025, the company reported terrestrial flight testing that demonstrated detection of hazards approximately 15 centimeters in size. The technology supports autonomous landing site assessment and controlled lunar descent.
Xodiac Reusable Rocket Lander
Xodiac is a reusable vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing rocket platform used to test spacecraft components and guidance technologies in terrestrial flight. It supports controlled ascent, horizontal translation, powered descent, and precision landing. Customers can use the vehicle to evaluate sensors, navigation software, and experimental payloads under dynamic flight conditions. Xodiac supports flight testing and validation of lunar landing technologies before their integration into orbital spacecraft.
Lunar Payload Delivery Services
Astrobotic provides payload transportation services through its Peregrine and Griffin lunar landers. The service includes payload accommodation, engineering reviews, spacecraft integration, launch coordination, mission operations, and delivery to planned lunar destinations. Customers can fly scientific instruments, robotic vehicles, and technology demonstrations. The company’s service architecture is intended to support commercial and government lunar missions with different payload sizes and operational requirements.
MoonBox
MoonBox is Astrobotic’s payload accommodation service for small personal and commemorative items intended for lunar delivery. The service provides standardized capsules that can be integrated into lunar lander missions. MoonBox is separate from the company’s scientific payload transportation offerings and provides a way to include small non-operational payloads on lunar missions, subject to the successful completion of the associated spacecraft mission.
Griffin-1 / Moon Base II Mission
Griffin-1, also designated Moon Base II within NASA’s lunar development activities, is Astrobotic’s planned mission to the lunar south polar region. The mission will carry Astrolab’s FLIP rover and additional scientific and technology demonstration payloads. Its objectives include lunar mobility, payload delivery, and surface operations demonstrations. Griffin-1 completed environmental qualification testing at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in October 2026, with launch preparations continuing for the planned mission.
Astrobotic Applications
Astrobotic’s lunar landers support transportation of scientific instruments, robotic vehicles, and technology demonstrations to the Moon. Its payload services are designed for government agencies, research institutions, and commercial organizations conducting lunar missions.
Its CubeRover and autonomous landing technologies support lunar surface exploration, navigation, terrain assessment, and scientific data collection. These systems help spacecraft and robotic vehicles operate in environments with limited navigation infrastructure.
The company’s LunaGrid and vertical solar array technologies are being developed to provide electrical power for lunar surface equipment, supporting longer-duration scientific experiments, robotic operations, and future exploration infrastructure.
Astrobotic also provides reusable rocket flight testing for spacecraft sensors, guidance algorithms, and experimental payloads. These services support the development of landing technologies for lunar exploration and other autonomous flight applications.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Astrobotic do?
Astrobotic develops lunar landers, robotic rovers, navigation systems, and surface infrastructure for missions to the Moon. Its products include the Peregrine and Griffin landers, CubeRover, OPAL autonomous landing technology, and LunaGrid power systems. The company also provides lunar payload transportation services and operates reusable rocket vehicles for testing spacecraft technologies.
What is the difference between Peregrine and Griffin?
Peregrine is a smaller lunar lander designed to carry up to 90 kilograms of payload, including scientific instruments and technology demonstrations. Griffin is a larger lander with a payload capacity of up to 625 kilograms, allowing it to transport larger robotic vehicles and surface infrastructure. Both incorporate propulsion, navigation, communications, and payload accommodation systems.
Has Astrobotic successfully landed a spacecraft on the Moon?
As of October 2026, Astrobotic has not completed a successful lunar landing. Its Peregrine Mission One launched in January 2024 but experienced a propulsion system failure that prevented the spacecraft from reaching the lunar surface. The spacecraft operated in space for approximately ten days before reentering Earth’s atmosphere. Its Griffin-1 mission is being prepared for a planned lunar landing, while additional Peregrine missions are scheduled for 2028.
What is Astrobotic’s CubeRover?
CubeRover is a small robotic lunar vehicle available in standardized 2U, 4U, and 6U configurations. It carries scientific instruments and provides mobility, electrical power, communications, and navigation capabilities. The rover uses independently driven wheels and onboard cameras to navigate lunar terrain. Astrobotic integrated a 2U CubeRover with Griffin-1 in April 2026 for a planned technology demonstration.
What is LunaGrid, and how will it provide power on the Moon?
LunaGrid is Astrobotic’s planned lunar power infrastructure system. It combines vertical solar arrays, power management equipment, and distribution technologies to supply electricity to lunar surface assets. The architecture is intended to support robotic vehicles, scientific instruments, and future exploration installations. LunaGrid remains under development and has not been established as an operational lunar electricity service.
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