Astrobotic's Griffin-1 Lunar Mission Postponed to Mid-2026

Astrobotic Technology has announced a delay in the launch of its Griffin-1 lunar lander, now targeting no earlier than July 2026. The mission aims to deliver multiple payloads to the Moon's south-polar Nobile region, including Venturi Astrolab's FLIP (FLEX Lunar Innovation Platform) rover and Astrobotic's own CubeRover. The company cited ongoing assembly and testing processes as reasons for the postponement. The Griffin-1 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, supporting Artemis-era science at the lunar south pole. Following the cancellation of NASA's VIPER rover in July 2024 due to budget constraints, the Griffin mission was reconfigured to serve as a large lander demonstration flight. Astrobotic's first lunar mission, Peregrine Mission One, failed to reach the Moon in January 2024 due to a propellant leak. The company has since focused on rigorous ground testing and flight-like rehearsals to ensure the success of Griffin-1.