Blue Ghost Sets Record as Longest Commercial Mission on the Moon

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully completed its NASA mission on March 16 after dropping off 10 instruments and capturing several photos and videos. The mission was conducted under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

“Operating on the Moon is complex; carrying 10 payloads, more than has ever flown on a CLPS delivery before, makes the mission that much more impressive,” expressed Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “Teams are eagerly analyzing their data, and we are extremely excited for the expected scientific findings that will be gained from this mission.”

The Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost Mission 1 launched from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on January 15. 45 days, 2.8 million miles, and 27 GB of data downlinking later, it arrived on the moon’s Mare Crisium at around 2:34 am on March 2. The landing was upright, stable, and within 100 meters of its landing target near Mons Latreille, making Firefly the first commercial company to have its tech successfully touchdown on the moon.

The lander remained on the Moon for around 14 Earth days and dropped off 10 NASA science and technology instruments to the Mare Crisium basin. The payloads went off to complete their own missions: drilling up to 3 feet down, tracking Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS) signals, removing lunar soil using electrodynamic forces, studying the Moon’s interior, and more. Blue Ghost also captured extensive footage during its stay, including of a total solar eclipse and a sunset. 

“Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 marks the longest surface duration commercial mission on the Moon to date, collecting extraordinary science data that will benefit humanity for decades to come,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. “With NASA’s CLPS initiative, American companies are now at the forefront of an emerging lunar economy that lights the way for the agency’s exploration goals on the Moon and beyond.”

The CLPS initiative allows American companies to bid on NASA task orders, giving them a chance to showcase their product’s capabilities on the moon. 14 providers, including Firefly, Blue Origin, SpaceX, and Lockheed Martin, are currently on CLPS contracts and allowed to place bids.

FMI: www.nasa.gov/clps