Episode Details

Most companies aim for growth. Astrobotic is aiming for the moon — quite literally. 

For nearly two decades, this Pittsburgh-based space company has been building the technology to make lunar exploration not just possible, but practical. And with its upcoming Griffin lander mission, that vision is about to take a giant leap forward. 

Set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket, Griffin will deliver a massive rover to the moon's south pole — one of the most scientifically and economically important regions in space. Why there? Because beneath its shadowed craters lies water ice, a resource that could be transformed into oxygen, drinking water, and even rocket fuel. 

In other words, the moon isn't just a destination. It's a launchpad. 

Astrobotic is at the center of that transformation, developing not only delivery systems but also the infrastructure needed for sustained lunar presence. Its LunaGrid technology — a network of solar power stations designed to operate in extreme conditions — could provide the energy backbone for future missions.