space connect logo
close

Voyager strengthens lunar ambitions, completes Astrobotic acquisition

Stephen Kuper

Voyager Technologies has completed its acquisition of Astrobotic Technology as NASA accelerates plans for sustained robotic exploration of the moon through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.

Voyager Technologies has completed its acquisition of Astrobotic Technology, marking a significant milestone in the company’s ambition to become a fully integrated provider of commercial lunar infrastructure as NASA ramps up preparations for a sustained presence on the moon.

The acquisition comes at a pivotal moment for the United States’ lunar exploration program, with NASA recently awarding Voyager two additional lunar lander missions under its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative while the company’s Griffin Mission One spacecraft progresses towards launch later this year.

The deal significantly expands Voyager’s capabilities across lunar transportation, landing systems and surface operations, positioning the newly established Voyager Lunar Systems business as a major player in NASA’s Artemis campaign and the emerging cislunar economy.

 
 

Voyager chairman and CEO Dylan Taylor said the acquisition reflects the company’s long-term vision of supporting America’s return to the moon.

“As America marks 250 years, the next chapter of this nation’s leadership begins on the lunar surface,” Taylor said.

“Our company reflects American ingenuity built across generations – and today, we’re building the infrastructure that will anchor the country’s presence on the moon.”

The acquisition follows NASA’s latest CLPS task order, valued at approximately US$298 million, which will see Voyager’s Peregrine-2 lunar lander deliver three NASA science payloads to the Gruithuisen Domes on the moon’s near side in 2028.

The mission will investigate the lunar radiation environment, examine how rocket engine plumes interact with the lunar surface during landing, and deploy a long-term navigation reference point designed to improve positioning accuracy for future spacecraft operating on and around the moon.

The data will help reduce technical risk for future Artemis missions while supporting NASA’s broader objective of establishing a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.

Meanwhile, Griffin Mission One continues to advance towards launch, having recently arrived at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory for environmental testing ahead of a planned launch no earlier than November 2026.

The mission will transport 10 scientific and commercial payloads, including instruments from NASA, the European Space Agency and private-sector customers, to the lunar south pole under the CLPS program.

Astrobotic founder and CEO John Thornton, who will continue to lead the newly created Voyager Lunar Systems division, said the merger would accelerate the company’s original mission of making the moon more accessible.

“Astrobotic was built to make the moon accessible to the world and joining Voyager will hit the accelerator on that mission for our customers,” Thornton said.

“As space becomes increasingly important to our nation’s security and prosperity, our work on the moon has never been more relevant. As Voyager Lunar Systems, we’ll continue building capabilities that advance both American leadership in space and our national interests.”

Headquartered at Astrobotic’s Moon Base facility in Pittsburgh, Voyager Lunar Systems will continue developing lunar landing systems, propulsion technologies and surface logistics, reinforcing the growing role of commercial industry in supporting NASA’s next phase of lunar exploration.

Space ConnectWant to see more stories from trusted news sources?
Make Space Connect a preferred news source on Google.
Tags:
Category