The US Space Exploration Technology Corporation will perform a lunar mission in 2023, using its “Falcon Heavy” carrier rocket to send a lander developed by the space startup Astrobotic Moon. The lander will be equipped with NASA’s water-seeking lunar rover VIPER.
At present, this launch mission is scheduled to be carried out later in 2023. If all goes according to plan, this will be the first lunar mission of the Falcon Heavy rocket.
Moreover, this is not SpaceX’s first lunar exploration mission, because the company will launch a lunar lander for manned space exploration companies Masten and Intuitive Machines as early as 2022, but these missions are currently purposed to utilize the Falcon 9 launch vehicle.
For NASA, the launch of the Falcon Heavy will be a key task in fulfilling the long-term goals of its Artemis plan. The plan seeks to allow American astronauts to return to the moon in 2024.
(Via)
