NASA is preparing for the historic launch of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, a key milestone in its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and Artemis campaign. The mission, scheduled for liftoff on Wednesday, Jan. 15, will use a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Carrying cutting-edge NASA science and technology payloads, the mission aims to advance lunar exploration and lay the groundwork for future human missions.
After liftoff, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander will embark on a 45-day journey to the Moon, targeting an early March landing. Onboard are 10 NASA science investigations designed to deepen our understanding of the lunar environment and test innovative technologies such as subsurface drilling, regolith sample collection, radiation-tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation. These experiments not only support lunar exploration but also offer insights into cosmic forces and their impact on Earth.
NASA’s prelaunch events begin Monday, Jan. 13, with live coverage and expert discussions available on NASA’s website and NASA+. Virtual participants can register to receive mission updates, activities, and a commemorative virtual guest passport stamp. On launch day, live streaming of the event will start at 12:30 a.m. EST, with liftoff scheduled for 1:11 a.m.
This mission is a pivotal step in NASA’s Moon to Mars exploration strategy. By testing critical technologies and conducting groundbreaking research, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 represents a significant leap toward sustainable lunar exploration and future human missions to Mars. Witness this historic moment by following NASA’s coverage on its website and social media platforms using the hashtag #Artemis.
