![\"Creating](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/blue-ghost-mission-launch.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>A suite of NASA scientific investigations and technology demonstrations is on its way to our nearest celestial neighbor aboard a commercial spacecraft, where they will provide insights into the Moon\u2019s environment and test technologies to support future astronauts landing safely on the lunar surface under the agency\u2019s Artemis campaign.<\/p>\n
Carrying science and tech on Firefly Aerospace\u2019s first CLPS or Commercial Lunar Payload Services flight for NASA, Blue Ghost Mission 1<\/a> launched at 1:11 a.m. EST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The company is targeting a lunar landing on Sunday, March 2.<\/p>\n \u201cThis mission embodies the bold spirit of NASA\u2019s Artemis campaign \u2013 a campaign driven by scientific exploration and discovery,\u201d said NASA Deputy Administrator Pam Melroy. \u201cEach flight we\u2019re part of is vital step in the larger blueprint to establish a responsible, sustained human presence at the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Each scientific instrument and technology demonstration brings us closer to realizing our vision. Congratulations to the NASA, Firefly, and SpaceX teams on this successful launch.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Once on the Moon, NASA will test and demonstrate lunar drilling technology, regolith (lunar rocks and soil) sample collection capabilities, global navigation satellite system abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation methods. The data captured could also benefit humans on Earth by providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces impact our home planet. \u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cNASA leads the world in space exploration, and American companies are a critical part of bringing humanity back to the Moon,\u201d said Nicola Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cWe learned many lessons during the Apollo Era which informed the technological and science demonstrations aboard Firefly\u2019s Blue Ghost Mission 1 \u2013 ensuring the safety and health of our future science instruments, spacecraft, and, most importantly, our astronauts on the lunar surface. I am excited to see the incredible science and technological data Firefly\u2019s Blue Ghost Mission 1 will deliver in the days to come.\u201d<\/p>\n As part of NASA\u2019s modern lunar exploration activities, CLPS deliveries to the Moon will help humanity better understand planetary processes and evolution, search for water and other resources, and support long-term, sustainable human exploration of the Moon in preparation for the first human mission to Mars.\u00a0<\/p>\n There are 10 NASA payloads flying on this flight:<\/p>\n \u201cWith 10 NASA science and technology instruments launching to the Moon, this is the largest CLPS delivery to date, and we are proud of the teams that have gotten us to this point,\u201d said Chris Culbert, program manager for the Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center in Houston. \u201cWe will follow this latest CLPS delivery with more in 2025 and later years. American innovation and interest to the Moon continues to grow, and NASA has already awarded 11 CLPS deliveries and plans to continue to select two more flights per year.\u201d<\/p>\n Firefly\u2019s Blue Ghost lander is targeted to land near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a more than 300-mile-wide basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon\u2019s near side. The NASA science on this flight will gather valuable scientific data studying Earth\u2019s nearest neighbor and helping pave the way for the first Artemis astronauts to explore the lunar surface later this decade.<\/p>\n Learn more about NASA\u2019s CLPS initiative at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/clps<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Amber Jacobson \/ Karen Fox Natalia Riusech \/ Nilufar Ramji Antonia Jaramillo\n
Headquarters, Washington
202-358-1600
amber.c.jacobson@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ karen.c.fox@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
nataila.s.riusech@nasa.gov<\/a> \/ nilufar.ramji@nasa.gov<\/p>\n
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-501-8425
antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n