Firefly Aerospace successfully launched its Blue Ghost lunar lander on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, marking a significant milestone in the company's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. With a target landing date of March 2, 2025, Firefly's 60-day mission will include approximately 45 days on-orbit and 14 days of lunar surface operations.
Firefly Aerospace has shipped its Blue Ghost lunar lander to NASA JPL for final testing before launching in Q4 2024. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1 lander is integrated with 10 scientific instruments and technology demonstrations that will help pave the way for humanity's return to the Moon.
Firefly Aerospace has completed the development and assembly of its Blue Ghost lander structure and fluid systems, a critical milestone for its first lunar mission slated to launch in 2024 under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The company's Texas-based spacecraft facility played a key role in this achievement.
Firefly Aerospace has completed the Critical Design Review of its Blue Ghost lunar lander, paving the way for construction and a September 2023 launch. The lander will carry NASA payloads to the Mare Crisium lunar basin, with several commercial payloads also on board.
NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace $93.3 million to deliver a suite of ten NASA-sponsored science and technology demonstration payloads to the Moon's Crisium basin in 2023. The 'Blue Ghost' lunar lander will operate on-board payloads during transit, orbit, and on the lunar surface for a complete lunar day.
Firefly Aerospace has been awarded a Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) contract by NASA worth up to $2.6 billion over 10 years. The program aims to acquire end-to-end commercial payload services between Earth and the lunar surface.