Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 achieved several records, including the first-ever high-definition film of an awe-inspiring lunar sunset. The mission, which landed on the Moon on March 2, 2025, in the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) by NASA, finished its work on March 16. However, the information it returned to Earth continues to provide valuable information to aid subsequent missions of lunar exploration, such as those of NASA’s Artemis program.
The Blue Ghost lander, with 10 NASA science and technology payloads aboard, landed in the Mare Crisium basin near the Moon’s near side. Throughout its 14-day mission, the lander transmitted record-breaking information, including high-definition video and images of a solar eclipse and lunar sunset. The capability of the Blue Ghost lander to conduct operations during lunar night also allowed it to extend its operating time, achieving new records for commercial Moon missions.
“Today’s mission is a milestone in the exploration of the Moon,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA. “By this success, American industry is pioneering the growing lunar economy that makes NASA’s exploration of the Moon and beyond possible.”
The mission was notable not only for the success of its science but also for pushing the limits of lunar exploration. Blue Ghost transmitted a total of 119 gigabytes of information, 51 of which were worth their weight in science and technology-related information. The payloads on the lander, whose responsibility it was to return the information, performed missions at moments of great significance like the solar eclipse and the lunar sunset.
NASA’s Exploration Science Mission Directorate deputy associate administrator Joel Kearns emphasized the challenge of operating with 10 payloads, more than any previous CLPS mission. It was a success, and scientists are now analyzing the data for further scientific findings.
The success of the Blue Ghost Mission 1 will go a long way in advancing the Artemis program and other deep space missions and set a new standard for commercial space exploration contributions.
