Pittsburgh aims to position itself as a leader in space, and it’s building the startup ecosystem to make that happen.
Perhaps most notably, the aerospace company Astrobotic.
In 2007, Pittsburgh-based Astrobotic emerged from the corridors of Carnegie Mellon University with an ambitious mission: to lead humanity back to the moon.
The 2024 Technical.ly Award-winning company, founded to compete for the Google Lunar X Prize, began as a small startup amid the backdrop of an economic downturn and waning lunar ambitions after NASA’s Constellation program was canceled. To become the leader in space technology that it’s known as today, it’s been an uphill battle.
“We were trying to build a moon company when no one was thinking about going to the Moon. Potential investors literally laughed at us,” CEO John Thornton told Technical.ly.
Now, Astrobotic stands as a powerhouse in space exploration, boasting over $600 million in contracts, 275 employees and lunar missions under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative which allows NASA to contract commercial entities for lunar delivery services. This initiative is crucial for making lunar exploration commercially viable, providing a platform for Astrobotic to carry out its mission.
Still, that journey has been full of ups and downs. Like most startups, it faced failures in between the deals it landed. Here’s a timeline of key moments in the startup’s journey, and a look ahead at what’s next.
Timeline: Key moments in Astrobotic’s history
May 2025: Terrestrial rocket crashes
The Xodiac rocket, Astrobotic’s tool for conducting test flights and gathering data, crashed in the Mojave Desert. It experienced a malfunction on descent, leading to its destruction after 10 years of operation. In response, the company announced it had already drafted a design for a new rocket, and Xodiac’s end-of-life provides an opportunity for an upgrade.
February 2025: Plans for next launch announced
Astrobotic’s Griffin Mission One is set to land at the lunar south pole by the end of the year, carrying payloads from NASA, the European Space Agency and Astrobotic’s FLIP rover—a key goal in simulating conditions for future lunar exploration.
August 2024: Report reveals why Peregrine failed
Astrobotic’s Peregrine moon lander failed in January 2024 due to a faulty helium pressure control valve, causing an oxidizer tank rupture that ultimately led to mission loss. The company has since improved its propulsion system for the upcoming Griffin lander, set to launch in 2025.
June 2024: New testing facility opens
The Lunar Surface Proving Ground, a high-fidelity 3D test field replicating the Moon’s surface, was opened in Mojave, California. This facility offers unprecedented testing for lunar technologies, simulating lunar conditions to refine systems like navigation algorithms and rover technologies.
“Testing terrestrial technologies for space is one of the industry’s biggest challenges, and our facilities help bridge that gap,” said Thornton.
The Proving Ground replicates the moon’s harsh environment, such as its vacuum and extreme temperatures, allowing engineers to evaluate and refine these systems before they are sent into space. This ensures that technologies like autonomous navigation and 3D mapping systems will perform reliably on lunar missions.”
January 2024: Peregrine Mission One
Peregrine Mission One launches, marking the first US commercial lunar lander in space. While an in-flight anomaly prevented a lunar landing, the mission achieved critical milestones, including operating for 10 days in space, traveling over 535,000 miles, and powering onboard payloads that generated valuable scientific data. This mission provided invaluable lessons for Astrobotic, paving the way for future lunar endeavors.
December 2022: $3 million state grant
The company received a $3 million state grant to construct a new facility near its North Side headquarters in Pittsburgh.
October 2022: Moonshot Museum opens
The Astrobotic-partnered Moonshot Museum opened in October 2022, offering an immersive space exploration experience in Pittsburgh’s North Side, including exhibits, lunar mission simulations, and STEM-focused educational programs.
September 2022: Space tech portfolio expands
Astrobotic acquired Masten Space Systems, bolstering its capabilities in vertical takeoff, and vertical landing rockets, a critical technology for lunar surface operations. This acquisition is part of Astrobotic’s strategy to expand its technological reach and integrate more complex systems into its lunar missions. The acquisition provides suborbital payload testing capabilities and a propulsion testing facility in Mojave, California.
June 2022: $1.5M SBIR award
The startup secured a $1.5 million in NASA SBIR Phase II contracts to advance LiDAR-based hazard detection and satellite servicing technologies for future space missions.
January 2021: AON3D partnership begins
Partnered with 3D-printing startup AON3D to send hundreds of 3D-printed parts to the moon aboard its lander on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, including critical avionics components.
January 2020: Chosen to carry a water-hunting rover to the moon
The same year it moved to Pittsburgh’s Manchester neighborhood, Astrobotic secured a $199.5 million NASA contract to deliver a lunar rover.
January 2018: Deal with NASA for CLPS mission
NASA’s CLPS initiative enables Astrobotic to secure its first lunar lander mission, Peregrine Mission One. This mission marked a critical step toward positioning Astrobotic as a leader in commercial lunar operations.
January 2016: Seed round raised
Space Angels invests $2.5 million into Astrobotic, kicking off a slew of future fundraising to come.
January 2015: Selected by NASA to test landing tech
Astrobotic lands a deal with NASA to test navigation technology to help it land on the moon.
January 2013: HQ moves to the Strip District
The Carnegie Mellon spinout leaves its university space for a 3,600 square feet spot in the Strip District. The following year, it expanded the space by another 5,200 square feet.
October 2012: Lunar rover prototype unveiled
Polaris, a rover designed to search for water ice on the moon, is unveiled. The 5 ½ feet tall, 7 feet wide and almost 8 feet long robot can be tracked within 10 feet of accuracy using computer vision.
January 2011: SpaceX contract
The startup signed a contract with SpaceX to launch its robotic payload to the moon on a Falcon 9, aiming for a December 2013 launch. The mission will search for water, deliver payloads, and send 3D video, with the rover exploring for three months while leveraging Carnegie Mellon’s autonomous navigation tech.
January 2010: NASA awards $10M grant
The company secured a $10 million NASA contract in 2010 for a robotic lunar expedition, aiming for a 2013 launch. Partnering with major industry players like Lockheed Martin and Aerojet, the mission sought to advance precision landing, lunar night survival, and public engagement through interactive robotics.
July 2009: Lunar excavation robot development begins
Astrobotic starts testing a robot to excavate dirt on the moon in collaboration with Carnegie Mellon University, thanks to a series of NASA Small Business Innovation Research grants.
January 2007: Founded in response to the Google Lunar X Prize
Founded by Carnegie Mellon professor Red Whittaker, Astrobotic began with a vision to win the Google Lunar X Prize, a global competition aimed at landing a privately funded rover on the moon and demonstrating technologies for future lunar missions. The company is established in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, leveraging the city’s growing robotics and AI sector.
Lunar missions extend beyond just getting there
Astrobotic’s mission extends beyond lunar landings. Its 47,000-square-foot Pittsburgh headquarters is the largest private facility dedicated to other lunar logistics, too.
It features integration cleanrooms, rover test labs and a Mission Control Center that oversees lunar operations.
“Our cleanrooms and test facilities simulate lunar environments, ensuring mission hardware performs under extreme conditions,” Thornton said.
The company also pioneers LunaGrid, a solar-based power distribution service for lunar surface operations.
With LunaGrid-Lite set for a 2026 demonstration, Astrobotic aims to sustain long-term lunar exploration by enabling rovers, landers, and habitats to survive the harsh lunar night. This technology is a vital part of making lunar exploration sustainable and commercially viable.
A lunar economy built to include all of Pittsburgh
Astrobotic’s partnerships with NASA, the Department of Defense and private entities reflect a shift toward commercializing space exploration.
“The public-private model fosters international collaboration and ensures sustainable lunar missions,” Thornton said.
With over 60 contracts secured, including reusable rocket engines and navigation technologies, Astrobotic is cementing its role as a cornerstone of the burgeoning lunar economy. These partnerships are critical for reducing costs and sharing risks among multiple stakeholders according to Thornton.
The company also connects its lunar ambitions to the Pittsburgh community. Universities like Carnegie Mellon provide a pipeline of talent, while the region’s manufacturing legacy supports a localized supply chain.
The adjacent Moonshot Museum, launched in 2022, has welcomed over 18,000 visitors and inspired more than 32,000 students through STEM programs.
Still, the Peregrine Mission One is arguably the more profound part of its modern legacy. It offered valuable lessons despite its challenges.
“Failure is a stepping stone,” Thornton said. “The data we collected and the operational insights gained have strengthened our readiness for Griffin Mission One.” These learnings are crucial for refining Astrobotic’s approach and preparing for future lunar missions, he added.
Looking ahead, Astrobotic’s focus remains on robotic and autonomous spacecraft, setting the stage for human exploration.
“The moon is Earth’s nearest celestial neighbor and is the place we will learn to live and work on another planetary body,” Thornton said. “The moon is where we’ll learn to live and work on another planetary body. Our robotic missions on the lunar surface are paving the way for that future.”
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