Firefly Aerospace is partnering with SpaceX to launch the Blue Ghost lunar module for scientific research.

The American company Firefly Aerospace, in collaboration with SpaceX, has announced the launch of the lunar lander Blue Ghost, scheduled for January 15. This mission will mark the second successful lunar landing by an American spacecraft since the Apollo program concluded.

Developed in Texas, the module will head to the volcanic formation Mons Latreille, located in the Sea of Crises on the northeastern part of the Moon's near side. The spacecraft measures 2 meters in height and 3.5 meters in width. Blue Ghost will deliver equipment to the Moon to conduct ten scientific and technological experiments.

The launch will be carried out using a Falcon 9 rocket manufactured by SpaceX. The module's journey is expected to last 45 days, after which it will begin a two-week research program on the lunar surface.

Firefly Aerospace secured a contract worth $93 million for the development and launch of Blue Ghost as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to engage private companies in delivering scientific equipment to the Moon. This is part of NASA's strategy to foster the commercial sector's involvement in lunar exploration.

Previously, CLPS missions have encountered various challenges. In January 2024, the Peregrine spacecraft from Astrobotic failed due to a fuel leak, burning up in Earth's atmosphere. In February of the same year, Intuitive Machines successfully landed a module at the Moon's south pole; however, damage to one of its legs affected the efficiency of its solar panels. Despite this, the module managed to complete some of its planned tasks and transmitted images of the lunar surface.

So far, soft landings on the Moon have been achieved by spacecraft from five countries: the USSR, the USA, China, India, and Japan. The success of the Blue Ghost mission could strengthen the USA's position in contemporary lunar exploration.

Firefly Aerospace engineers have taken into account the experiences from previous CLPS missions, paying special attention to landing and power supply systems. The scientific program of Blue Ghost will focus on studying the composition of lunar soil, radiation levels, and other environmental characteristics in the Sea of Crises. The data obtained will aid in preparing for future crewed missions under the Artemis program.