LUNAR EXPLORATION · IN FLIGHT

ALEP 15-L

Ardea lander Dawn is commissioned and awaiting Resolve.

IN FLIGHTCURRENT STATUS

LUNAR POLAR ORBITPRIMARY TARGET

LAUNCHED 28 MAY 2026MISSION DATE

ALEP 15-L pre-deployed the Dawn lunar landing system and surface equipment required for the crewed ALEP 15 expedition. The vehicle entered lunar polar orbit on 2 June 2026 and is maintained by the Arden flight-control team.

Dawn carries the descent and ascent stages, surface consumables and externally mounted equipment. It will rendezvous with Resolve after the crew arrives in lunar orbit.

LATEST OPERATIONAL UPDATE

The 30-day lunar-orbit health assessment confirmed all primary systems within certified limits.

MISSION PARAMETERS

Flight facts

Values are the current public mission baseline or the final recorded result.

01 · Launch28 MAY 2026

Launch

Cape Halcyon LC-3B

02 · Lunar arrival02 JUN

Lunar arrival

Polar orbit insertion

03 · Staging orbit104 × 117 km

Staging orbit

Near-polar

04 · Lander mass22.6 t

Lander mass

Wet at deployment

05 · Rated surface stay8 d

Rated surface stay

Two crew members

06 · StatusNOMINAL

Status

As of 16 July 2026

MISSION OBJECTIVES

Defined outcomes

Mission-level objectives are controlled through the approved program baseline.

01OBJECTIVE

Deliver Dawn and its surface complement to the certified lunar staging orbit.

Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.

02OBJECTIVE

Commission lander propulsion, navigation, power, thermal and communications systems.

Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.

03OBJECTIVE

Acquire landing-site navigation imagery and upload the final hazard map.

Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.

04OBJECTIVE

Maintain crew-flight readiness through rendezvous and docking with Resolve.

Verification is recorded in mission operations and closeout documentation.

All missions Science data