A new feat has just taken place before the eyes of the world. The Blue Ghost module has successfully landed on the Moon, becoming the second private craft to do so. This success marks a major step forward for NASA, which is actively preparing for the return of astronauts to the Moon.
Space exploration is entering a new era with the growing involvement private companies. More and more missions are being entrusted to these players, who are able to innovate quickly and offer solutions adapted to the needs of space agencies. The Moon has become a key objective, particularly for NASA, which is relying on these collaborations to prepare its future manned missions.
It is in this context that Firefly Aerospace has just accomplished a feat. Its Blue Ghost lander has successfully landed softly on the lunar surface on March 2, 2025. This feat makes it the second private spacecraft to achieve this, after Intuitive Machines' Odysseus in 2024. In addition to this technical feat, the mission is carrying several scientific instruments for NASA.
Blue Ghost landed on the Moon with 10 research instruments for NASA
The landing followed a precise sequence. At 8:30 a.m. (Paris time), Blue Ghost began the first phase of its descent by firing its engines to adjust its trajectory. For approximately 50 minutes, it stabilized its position before beginning the final phase. At 9:34, the module cut its main engine to enter terminal approach, adjusting its course using small thrusters. A few minutes later, it landed safely in the Mare Crisium region, a vast volcanic plain on the visible side of the Moon.
The Blue Ghost mission is not limited to this feat. The lander is carrying ten scientific experiments designed to analyze the lunar environment. Sensors are to measure radiation, while other instruments are experimenting with new techniques for collecting samples. The craft will operate for 14 Earth days, capturing images of a solar eclipse seen from the Moon on March 14. This data will be essential for preparing future manned missions in the Artemis program, which plans to return astronauts to the Moon within a few years.
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