The Vulcan Centaur rocket with the flag of Ukraine on board, intended for a mission to the moon, was launched in the USA. The launch took place from the spaceport in Florida on January 8 at 2:18 a.m. local time.
The rocket is carrying Astrobotic's Peregrine lander, which separated from it about 50 minutes after launch. The module is expected to reach the surface of the Moon in about 46 days. As the first successful commercial mission to the surface of a satellite, it will be a major step forward for space exploration.
The flag of Ukraine on board the rocket is a sign of solidarity with the Ukrainian people, as noted by the private space company Spacebit, founded by Pavel Tanasiuk. The metal version of the flag also includes embossing with a map of Ukraine and will test coatings and paints not previously used on the moon. It is planned to be a historic achievement for mankind.
Earlier, the General Director of Spacebit Pavlo Tanasiuk announced plans for the first Ukrainian mission to the Moon in 2022 with a cost of 1.5 million dollars, including domestically produced equipment.
