Firefly Aerospace has achieved a significant milestone by becoming the first private firm to successfully land on the moon. At 3:34 a.m. ET on Sunday, March 2, the Blue Ghost lander made a soft landing on the lunar surface, arriving safely and standing upright with its payload of scientific experiments and technology tests intact.
The moon’s cratered landscape posed challenges for the landing process, described by team members as “frankly terrifying.” The entire descent was conducted autonomously; the lander utilized a downward-facing camera and terrain relative navigation software to adjust its path and identify a safe landing site. This technology allowed the onboard computer to assess its velocity and position accurately while detecting potential landing hazards like boulders and craters.
The Firefly team experienced anxiety right up to the final moments before touchdown. With the landing successfully completed, their attention swiftly shifts to the next challenge. “The fretting never goes away,” explained Kevin Scholtes, Future Systems Architect at Firefly. “We’re always planning for the next big adventure. The goal is to leave the future brighter than we found it, which involves consistently concerning ourselves with the details.”
The control room in Austin, Texas erupted in cheers when the lander safely reached the lunar surface. Nicky Fox, NASA’s Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate, joyfully declared, “We’re on the moon!” during a celebratory event attended by many.
Touching down in the Mare Crisium region, the lander will commence data collection over the next two weeks. Its payload includes experiments developed by NASA, which supported the mission through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, aimed at utilizing private companies for lunar supply transport.
The onboard experiments feature a drill and sample collection system, a test of dust-repellent technology needed to counter the sharp glass-like dust covering the lunar terrain, and instruments designed to analyze how solar winds interact with Earth’s magnetic field.
Firefly has also shared the first image captured by the lander, showcasing part of the lunar surface:
Firefly Aerospace
This initial image, while low in quality, captures a portion of the lander against the backdrop of the moon. Higher-resolution images are expected to be released soon as Firefly tests its onboard instruments and begins operational tasks.
“Firefly is literally and figuratively over the Moon,” remarked Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. He stated, “Our Blue Ghost lander now has a permanent presence on the lunar surface, carrying 10 NASA payloads and a plaque featuring the names of all Firefly employees. This remarkable team has demonstrated our capability to provide reliable, cost-effective access to the Moon, and we aim to continue advancing our lunar missions. We are paving the way for a sustained lunar presence that will facilitate access to the greater solar system for the United States, our partners, and the global community.”
