First Ukrainian Lunar Mission to Be Launched in 2022

Spacebit, in partnership with the United Launch Alliance and Astrobotic Technology under NASA CLPS programme, will launch a lunar mission worth about $1.5 million.

A launch vehicle with a lunar landing module will deliver cargo to the surface of the Moon: Ukraine’s flag, printed on a 3D printer made of Ukrainian titanium and equipment for collecting scientific data (examining soils, testing of sample selection technology, collecting information on thermal properties and magnetic field, etc.) The cargo will first reach the large crater Lacus Mortis on the near side of the moon, and after that will go to the dark spot Oceanus Procellarum on the surface of the celestial body.

Equipment to be sent to the Moon is currently being designed in conjunction with Ukrainian public and private enterprises: Meridian n. S.P. Korolyov, Yuzhnoye State Design Office, TytanEra, and Ecotest.

Spacebit founder and CEO Pavlo Tanasyuk noted that the delivery of the Ukrainian flag to the moon would be a symbolic step, which means the revival of Ukraine’s image as a leading country in the world space scene.

Previously, only three countries – the United States, China, and Russia – managed to deliver cargo to the Moon.

Natalia Tolub