Tucked between a McDonald’s and Wendy’s, hundreds of people in the City of Pittsburgh are working to accomplish America’s next mission to the moon. To the surprise of many, this monumental work isn’t happening at one of NASA’s traditional hubs. A city that once changed the way power is generated – and earned the nickname “Steel City” is once again stepping onto the international stage.The Chronicle team got an all-access pass to the Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic. In 2024, Astrobotic was on track to become the first private company to land on the moon. However, the mission 16 years in the making failed. Astrobotic has a renewed push, planning an even more ambitious return in 2026, with help from other companies in western Pennsylvania. The newest “Griffin” lander is designed to reach the moon’s south pole – a game-changing region many scientists believe could be the best place to land, work, and one day build a permanent base. Another real, lunar mission will once again be controlled from Pittsburgh’s North Side.A new ecosystem of commerce and manufacturing is happening right in Pittsburgh’s backyard. Right now, there are nearly 800 space-related companies throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. Chronicle: Mission Control Pittsburgh pulls back the curtain to the growing industry. Our team shows the brains behind 3D-printed rocket parts in rural Westmoreland County, goes inside a multi-billion-dollar space company in Washington County, and reveals the Allegheny County building known as “one of Pittsburgh’s best kept technology secrets.”From a Steel City to a new Space City, this hour-long documentary connects a century-old legacy of innovation with today’s startups, engineers and students already making a difference.Chronicle: Mission Control Pittsburgh airs Friday, February 27 at 8 p.m. on WTAE Channel 4.
PITTSBURGH —
Tucked between a McDonald’s and Wendy’s, hundreds of people in the City of Pittsburgh are working to accomplish America’s next mission to the moon.
To the surprise of many, this monumental work isn’t happening at one of NASA’s traditional hubs. A city that once changed the way power is generated – and earned the nickname “Steel City” is once again stepping onto the international stage.
The Chronicle team got an all-access pass to the Pittsburgh-based company Astrobotic.
In 2024, Astrobotic was on track to become the first private company to land on the moon. However, the mission 16 years in the making failed. Astrobotic has a renewed push, planning an even more ambitious return in 2026, with help from other companies in western Pennsylvania.
The newest “Griffin” lander is designed to reach the moon’s south pole – a game-changing region many scientists believe could be the best place to land, work, and one day build a permanent base. Another real, lunar mission will once again be controlled from Pittsburgh’s North Side.
A new ecosystem of commerce and manufacturing is happening right in Pittsburgh’s backyard. Right now, there are nearly 800 space-related companies throughout Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia.
Chronicle: Mission Control Pittsburgh pulls back the curtain to the growing industry. Our team shows the brains behind 3D-printed rocket parts in rural Westmoreland County, goes inside a multi-billion-dollar space company in Washington County, and reveals the Allegheny County building known as “one of Pittsburgh’s best kept technology secrets.”
From a Steel City to a new Space City, this hour-long documentary connects a century-old legacy of innovation with today’s startups, engineers and students already making a difference.
Chronicle: Mission Control Pittsburgh airs Friday, February 27 at 8 p.m. on WTAE Channel 4.