Lunar shipping: DHL delivers customer mementos to the moon

DHL, in a pioneering collaboration with space technology company Astrobotic, is connecting customers on Earth with space, making lunar deliveries a reality.

"The Astrobotic Peregrine Lunar Lander, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, successfully launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida, and is now in orbit as part of the Astrobotic Peregrine Mission," says a release from DHL.

Aboard this mission are DHL MoonBoxes, specially designed capsules filled with mementos from people worldwide, the release added. "This collaboration signifies a historic milestone as it marks one of the first commercial missions to the moon through which DHL makes it possible to connect meaningful moments on Earth with the moon forever. The anticipated touchdown on the moon, specifically the Gruithuisen Domes, is set for February 23, 2024."

Arjan Sissing, Head, Global Brand Marketing, DHL Group says: "Being the leading logistics company on Earth, delivering to over 220 countries and territories, we thrive on pushing boundaries and offering the seemingly "impossible" for our customers. With the DHL MoonBox and Astrobotic's cooperation, we are venturing into space for the first time and exploring new frontiers. This collaboration not only marks the next step in space innovation but also represents a giant leap in the history of logistics."

A total of 151 DHL MoonBoxes, contributed by individuals worldwide, each containing a special item is destined for the moon. "Among these are a letter from Richard Garriott, the first private astronaut, stories written by children, and even a fragment from the legendary Mount Everest. DHL has included a data stick from its end, containing 100,000 images capturing love that were submitted globally through social media. The DHL MoonBox is a distinct capsule, measuring up to 1 inch (2.54 cm) wide and 2 inches (5.08 cm) high."

The Astrobotic Peregrine Mission is the first of many payload missions to the moon. These missions are aimed at providing a cost-effective means for various customers, including scientific, commercial, and governmental organisations, to send their payloads to the moon. The Peregrine transporter is about the size of a small car - just over 1.8 metres high and 2.4 metres wide - and has five main engines. It can transport up to 120 kilograms of freight, the release added.