The company partnered with Armstrong Trails, a 52.5-mile recreational path stretching across Armstrong, Westmoreland, and Clarion counties. This collaboration allowed Astrobotic to test its LiDAR system over expansive distances, far beyond the limits of typical laboratory settings. Engineers placed targets up to a mile away along the trail to evaluate the system's accuracy.
"Our team was fortunate to have a resource like Armstrong Trails so close to our headquarters that allowed us to ground test our LiDAR system," said Brett Shaffer, Lead Systems Engineer at Astrobotic.
"Because we were able to generate test data in real time, technicians had the unique experience of being able to actually look up from their computers at the topography in front of them to see how well the system was performing."
Chris Ziegler, Executive Director at Armstrong Trails, added, "Armstrong Trails is a beautiful recreational resource that brings people closer to nature while fostering a love for outdoor adventure. We're excited to partner with a company like Astrobotic to use the trail in an innovative way that supports our country's lunar ambitions, blending local recreation with national achievements in space exploration."
Later this year, Astrobotic's LiDAR system will undergo further testing at the Lunar Surface Proving Ground (LSPG) in Mojave, CA. In one experiment, the system will be mounted on a helicopter hovering above a 100mx100m test field. The LiDAR system will also be tested using Xodiac, a vertical-takeoff, vertical-landing reusable rocket, at the LSPG, which closely simulates the Moon's surface conditions.
Griffin Mission One ground testing with NASA's Deep Space Network a success
In another significant milestone, NASA's Deep Space Network (DSN) successfully conducted end-to-end communications tests with Astrobotic's Griffin lunar lander. This achievement confirms the lander's ability to maintain space-to-ground communications during its upcoming Griffin Mission One (GM1) to the lunar surface.
Once GM1 separates from SpaceX's Falcon Heavy rocket, it will rely on DSN's communication antennas, located in Canberra, Australia; Madrid, Spain; and Goldstone, California. These same antennas supported Astrobotic's Peregrine Mission One and are used for prominent NASA missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and New Horizons.
"Astrobotic worked closely with NASA's JPL staff to complete this significant test with DSN and Griffin's communication systems including flight avionics, ground support software, and mission ops infrastructure," said Steve Clarke, Astrobotic's Vice President of Landers and Spacecraft.
"Seeing Griffin successfully pass commands and receive telemetry using the DSN network really energized our team for the next crucial phases of development and testing before we launch next year."
Griffin's launch is planned for 2025 from Cape Canaveral, Florida. During its mission, DSN will enable Astrobotic's team to command the lander, receive images and scientific data, and ensure continuous communication between the spacecraft and Earth.
"Hitting these major program milestones for Griffin Mission One confirms the technical capabilities of our team, many of whom just overcame huge obstacles to keep Peregrine flying for over ten days in space earlier this year," said Clarke.
"Griffin's avionics and communications systems were put through their paces during this three-week test campaign and confirmed the spacecraft can successfully transmit data and receive commands through DSN and to Astrobotic's Mission Control Center."
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