Voyager Technologies' Griffin-1 Completes Environmental Testing at NASA JPL

LATEST MATERIAL CHANGE

What changed?

Voyager Technologies' Griffin-1, a lunar lander, has completed nearly three months of environmental testing at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. The tests demonstrate the spacecraft's ability to withstand the harsh conditions of launch, its journey to the Moon, and landing on the surface. Griffin-1 underwent thermal vacuum testing, simulating extreme temperatures, as well as electromagnetic interference and electromagnetic compatibility testing, vibration testing, and acoustic testing. The spacecraft was positioned in a historic 25-Foot Space Simulator, where it was exposed to temperatures ranging from 167 degrees Fahrenheit to minus 148 F. The testing also included the use of a crane, anechoic chamber, and a shaker table to simulate the ride out of Earth's atmosphere. After completing the testing, Griffin-1 was shipped back to Voyager Lunar Systems' Pittsburgh facility for final assembly. The lander is expected to launch in late 2026 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative.

Why it matters

This milestone marks a significant step towards the successful launch of Griffin-1, which will deliver over 1,100 pounds of cargo to the lunar South Pole, furthering NASA's Moon Base Program.