Logistics giant DHL is looking at the possibility of developing a lunar delivery service.
Astrobotic has confirmed that it will develop a lunar payload delivery service, supported by both Airbus Defence and Space and DHL.
The world’s biggest logistics firm will become Astrobotic’s official logistics provider for the space company’s first mission to the moon.
For the mission, DHL will provide Astrobotic with logistics services for its customer payloads and spacecraft, ensuring that all the lunar lander’s new materials arrive both on time and safely for the company’s moon mission.
DHL’s Senior Vice President, Arjan Sissing, said that the company has a strong tradition of connecting its customers around the world and that this latest venture will see the start of the logistics industry’s move into a new era.
He said that DHL has been a pioneer of the industry since its formation in 1969 and the company is now excited to be working in conjunction with Astrobic on its new space frontier, as well as the possibility of further lunar logistics development in future.
Meanwhile, Airbus Space and Defence, the second biggest space company in the world, will provide engineering support from the start of the project.
Working in conjunction with each other, the team will push the new “Peregrine” Lunar Lander forward to its next major development milestone.
Peregrine will bring flexibility to the mission with a payload capacity of 30 to 265 kg, which will enable secondary flights on various launch vehicles.
An Aerojet Rocketdyne propulsion system will power the lander and will incorporate the latest in space engine technology.
The announcement of these partnerships builds on Astrobotic’s existing relationship with NASA, which was formed for the Lunar CATALYST Program.
John Thornton, Astrobotic CEO, said that the latest announcement signals the commencement of a new era for commercial lunar activity.
He added that the company has constructed a world class team that will play a huge role in taking logistics to a new level.
