A privately built spacecraft is preparing to attempt a historic moon landing, marking only the second time a private company has accomplished such a feat.
The robotic Blue Ghost lander, developed by Texas-based Firefly Aerospace, has been orbiting the moon for two weeks and is set to begin its descent early Sunday at 3:34 a.m. ET.
If successful, Blue Ghost will become the second commercial spacecraft to land on the lunar surface, following Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander, which touched down in February 2024 near the moon’s south pole.
Private Space Race to the Moon Heats Up
Firefly Aerospace’s attempt is part of a new wave of private lunar missions. Earlier this week:
- Intuitive Machines launched its second lander into space, aiming for a March 6 moon landing.
- A Japanese company, ispace, sent a lander and a tiny rover on the same rocket as Blue Ghost, but they are taking a longer route and are expected to land in late May or early June.
The surge in private space exploration is fueled by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which is partnering with private companies to send science experiments, technology, and cargo to the moon as part of the Artemis program—NASA’s plan to return humans to the moon.
Where Will Blue Ghost Land?
The lander is targeting a 350-mile-wide basin on the near side of the moon, which is believed to be the site of an ancient asteroid impact, according to NASA.
Earlier this week, Blue Ghost beamed back stunning images of the moon’s far side, capturing its cratered, pockmarked landscape from 62 miles above the surface.
What’s on Board?
Blue Ghost is carrying 10 NASA science instruments, including:
- A probe that will scan up to 700 miles deep into the moon’s interior.
- Cameras to capture X-ray images of Earth, studying how space weather interacts with Earth’s magnetic field.
- A high-resolution descent camera to document the landing for future missions.
- Instruments to analyze lunar soil samples and test how dust sticks to different materials.
- Lasers to measure the precise distance between Earth and the moon.
NASA’s Investment in Commercial Moon Missions
NASA awarded Firefly Aerospace $101.5 million to carry out the Blue Ghost mission, part of its broader CLPS initiative aimed at accelerating private sector participation in lunar exploration.
These missions will help scientists better understand the moon’s south polar region, where future Artemis crewed landings are expected to take place.
How to Watch the Landing
The hour-long descent is expected to begin after 2 a.m. ET on Sunday, with NASA providing a live broadcast starting at 2:20 a.m. ET on NASA TV.
If successful, Blue Ghost will operate on the moon for about two weeks, gathering data before lunar nightfall makes the lander’s systems inoperable.
This mission is another major milestone in the race to establish a sustainable lunar presence, laying the groundwork for human missions and potential lunar resource utilization.
With information from NBC News
