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<\/a><\/figure>After landing on the Moon with NASA science and technology demonstrations March 2, Firefly Aerospace\u2019s Blue Ghost Mission 1 concluded its mission March 16. Analysis of data returned to Earth from the NASA instruments continues, benefitting future lunar missions.<\/p>\n
As part of NASA\u2019s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, Firefly\u2019s Blue Ghost lunar lander delivered<\/a> 10 NASA science and technology instruments to the Mare Crisium basin on the near side of the Moon. During the mission, Blue Ghost captured several images and videos, including imaging a total solar eclipse<\/a> and a sunset from the surface of the Moon. The mission lasted for about 14 days, or the equivalent of one lunar day, and multiple hours into the lunar night before coming to an end.<\/p>\n \u201cFirefly\u2019s Blue Ghost Mission 1 marks the longest surface duration commercial mission on the Moon to date, collecting extraordinary science data that will benefit humanity for decades to come,\u201d said Nicky Fox, associate administrator, Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters in Washington. \u201cWith NASA\u2019s CLPS initiative, American companies are now at the forefront of an emerging lunar economy that lights the way for the agency\u2019s exploration goals on the Moon and beyond.\u201d<\/p>\n All 10 NASA payloads successfully activated, collected data, and performed operations on the Moon. Throughout the mission, Blue Ghost transmitted 119 gigabytes of data back to Earth, including 51 gigabytes of science and technology data. In addition, all payloads were afforded additional opportunities to conduct science and gather more data for analysis, including during the eclipse and lunar sunset.<\/p>\n \u201cOperating on the Moon is complex; carrying 10 payloads, more than has ever flown on a CLPS delivery before, makes the mission that much more impressive,\u201d said Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters. \u201cTeams are eagerly analyzing their data, and we are extremely excited for the expected scientific findings that will be gained from this mission.\u201d<\/p>\n Among other achievements, many of the NASA instruments performed first-of-their-kind science and technology demonstrations, including:<\/p>\n The data captured will benefit humanity in many ways, providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces may impact Earth. Establishing an improved awareness of the lunar environment ahead of future crewed missions will help plan for long-duration surface operations under Artemis.<\/p>\n To date, five vendors have been awarded 11 lunar deliveries under CLPS and are sending more than 50 instruments to various locations on the Moon, including the lunar South Pole and far side.<\/p>\n Learn more about NASA\u2019s CLPS initiative at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/clps<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Alise Fisher\u00a0 Natalia Riusech \/ Nilufar Ramji Antonia Jaramillo\n
Headquarters, Washington
202-617-4977
alise.m.fisher@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111
nataila.s.riusech@nasa.gov<\/a>\u00a0\/\u00a0nilufar.ramji@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-501-8425
antonia.jaramillobotero@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n