VIDEO: American spacecraft heads to the Moon for the first time in 50 years

On January 8, a Monday, the first American landing module in over 50 years set off towards the Moon. According to the Associated Press, the Peregrine spacecraft from the private company Astrobotic Technology was launched via the United Launch Alliance Vulcan rocket. The launch took place from Cape Canaveral, Florida.

As scheduled, the module is expected to land on the Moon on February 23. The Peregrine module, which is 1.9 meters tall and 2.5 meters wide, will deliver cargo to the Moon, including scientific instruments for NASA, a rock from Everest, as well as the ashes of "Star Trek" creator Gene Roddenberry and science fiction writer Arthur C. Clarke.

NASA has allocated funds to two private companies for the construction of lunar modules. These will explore the area of the Moon where a crewed mission is planned for the future. It is anticipated that these modules will also participate in NASA's scientific experiments and carry commercial cargo to the Moon. Astrobotic Technology has received $108 million for the construction of Peregrine.