Firefly Aerospace’s Targets March 2nd For Blue Ghost Moon Landing

Firefly Aerospace is preparing for a historic lunar landing, with its Blue Ghost lander targeting touchdown no earlier than 3:45 a.m. EST on Sunday, March 2.

The spacecraft, carrying a suite of NASA science and technology payloads, is set to land near Mare Crisium, a vast lunar plain located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and the Artemis campaign, both designed to establish a long-term presence on the Moon and pave the way for future human exploration.

Mission Overview

Blue Ghost was launched on Jan. 15 at 1:11 a.m. EST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The lander is carrying 10 NASA-sponsored scientific investigations and technology demonstration payloads. These experiments will study the Moon’s environment and test crucial technologies necessary for future crewed lunar landings and long-duration exploration missions on both the Moon and Mars.

NASA’s CLPS Initiative and Artemis Program

Through the CLPS initiative, NASA collaborates with multiple American commercial companies to transport scientific instruments and technology to the Moon.

The CLPS program offers an open contract structure where companies bid on lunar delivery services, including payload integration, launch, landing, and operational support. The total value of NASA’s CLPS contracts is estimated to reach $2.6 billion through 2028.

In February 2021, NASA awarded Firefly Aerospace a contract valued at approximately $93.3 million—later modified to $101.5 million—for the lunar delivery mission using the Blue Ghost lander. The mission is a key step in the Artemis program’s broader goal of enabling commercial robotic deliveries to the Moon, supporting scientific research, and demonstrating new technologies.

Scientific and Technological Objectives

The Blue Ghost mission represents a significant leap forward in lunar exploration. The payloads onboard will:

• Investigate the Moon’s surface composition and environment.

• Test precision landing technologies that will assist future Artemis missions.

• Demonstrate new power and communication technologies for extended lunar operations.

• Provide data critical for ensuring the safety and sustainability of future human exploration efforts on the Moon and beyond.

As NASA continues to expand its lunar exploration efforts through commercial partnerships, the success of Blue Ghost’s landing will mark another milestone in the Artemis program’s journey toward sustainable lunar operations. If successful, this mission will not only advance scientific understanding but also validate technologies essential for upcoming crewed landings.

Live Coverage

The Launch Pad Network will provide LIVE coverage of NASA and Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost descent and landing, beginning at approx. 2:00 a.m. EST at https://www.youtube.com/@TheLaunchPad