Firefly Aerospace is gearing up for its first lunar mission with the Blue Ghost lander, set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in mid-January. According to Space.com, this mission, dubbed ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’, will deliver 10 NASA payloads and cutting-edge technology demonstrations to the moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
The Blue Ghost lander recently arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center for final integration with the Falcon 9 rocket. Alongside the Japanese private moon lander, Resilience, the lander will play a critical role in NASA’s Artemis program by advancing lunar science and technology.
“This mission showcases the innovation and entrepreneurship of American industry, enabling NASA to achieve its goals through public-private partnerships,” said Joel Kearns, NASA’s associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate.
Mission Highlights
Payloads and Science Goals: Blue Ghost carries NASA experiments to study lunar geology, solar wind interactions, and regolith behavior. It also features technology tests, such as radiation-resistant hardware and a navigation system similar to GPS for the lunar environment.
Mission Timeline: The 60-day mission includes 25 days in Earth orbit, a four-day trip to the moon, and 16 days in lunar orbit before landing. Blue Ghost will operate on the moon for 14 Earth days (one lunar day), collecting high-definition images and valuable data until its power depletes during the lunar night.
Unique Observations: Before losing power, Blue Ghost will capture a solar eclipse and, potentially, a horizon glow—phenomena last observed by Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan in 1972.
“We’re proud that Firefly’s Blue Ghost mission will contribute to NASA’s vision of a sustained lunar presence, paving the way for future exploration,” said Firefly CEO Jason Kim.
With this ambitious mission, Firefly Aerospace joins the ranks of private companies helping NASA explore new frontiers. Blue Ghost’s contributions will bring humanity closer to establishing a long-term presence on the moon.
Photo: StudioPeace
