Blue Ghost is getting to work after its private moon landing, capturing a breathtaking sunrise on the lunar surface. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander, which successfully touched down near Mons Latreille in the Mare Crisium region, has already begun transmitting stunning images, including its first sunrise on the moon.
Blue Ghost aced its lunar landing attempt on Sunday (March 2), marking a significant milestone in private space exploration. As the sun rose over the lunar horizon, the spacecraft initiated its mission objectives, activating its scientific payloads and capturing mesmerizing views of Earth and its new lunar surroundings. This sunrise signals the beginning of its operational period, during which Blue Ghost will conduct crucial experiments and test groundbreaking technology.
“Rise and shine!” Firefly Aerospace announced as the first sunrise on the moon was captured by the lander, highlighting the start of its surface operations. The image of this lunar sunrise serves as a powerful symbol of exploration, representing both a new day on the moon and the dawn of a new era in commercial lunar missions.
Many of the 10 NASA science payloads aboard Blue Ghost are now operational and will continue running experiments for the next two weeks, enduring both the lunar day and the extreme conditions of the upcoming lunar night. These instruments will study lunar composition, geology, heat flow, and space weather, contributing valuable data to ongoing research. Additionally, Blue Ghost will test lunar drilling technology and observe how lunar dust levitates during sunset, complementing its spectacular sunrise imagery.
The historic landing occurred 46 days after Blue Ghost launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on January 15. Firefly Aerospace celebrated the success, emphasizing the mission’s impact on future lunar exploration. “Firefly is literally and figuratively over the moon,” said Firefly CEO Jason Kim. “Capturing this first sunrise on the moon is a testament to our dedication. With annual lunar missions, Firefly is paving the way for sustainable lunar exploration.”
Blue Ghost is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, designed to deploy scientific instruments on the moon to support Artemis program objectives. The stunning sunrise imagery from Blue Ghost not only showcases the lander’s capabilities but also reinforces its role in advancing lunar science and exploration.
Meanwhile, other private space ventures are also making strides toward lunar exploration. Intuitive Machines’ Athena IM-2 lander, another CLPS mission, entered lunar orbit on Monday, preparing for its own landing attempt near the moon’s south pole on March 6. Additionally, Japan-based ispace’s Resilience lander, which launched alongside Blue Ghost, is en route to the moon and is expected to attempt a landing in late May or early June.
As Blue Ghost continues its mission, its sunrise images provide a mesmerizing glimpse of the lunar landscape, inspiring future generations of explorers. This achievement marks a critical step in humanity’s journey to establish a lasting presence on the moon and beyond.
