*Private Blue Ghost lander captures amazing shot after historic lunar touchdown*
RNS: Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander has captured a breathtaking image of a lunar sunrise following its successful landing on the Moon on March 2. The lander set down near Mons Latreille, a solitary lunar peak in the Mare Crisium region on the Moon’s near side, marking a significant achievement in lunar exploration.
The Blue Ghost began its operations immediately after landing, activating its scientific instruments and sending back incredible images of its surroundings, including the Earth in the distance. The most recent image, shared by Firefly on social media, shows a dramatic lunar sunrise, with the bright sunlight contrasting sharply against the shadowed craters of the Moon’s rugged surface.
“Rise and shine! Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander captured its first sunrise on the Moon, marking the start of the lunar day and the beginning of surface operations,” Firefly posted on X.
The soft, stable landing was a historic moment for Firefly, making it the first commercial company to achieve a successful soft landing on the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The mission, dubbed “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” represents a milestone in cislunar exploration and sets the stage for future lunar missions.
“We’re literally and figuratively over the Moon,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Our Blue Ghost lunar lander now has a permanent home on the lunar surface, carrying 10 NASA payloads and a plaque with the names of every Firefly employee.” Kim emphasized that this achievement demonstrates Firefly’s capability to provide reliable, affordable access to the Moon and its role in leading future lunar exploration efforts.
The Blue Ghost, which landed with 10 NASA instruments on board, achieved a precision touchdown in Mare Crisium at 2:34 a.m. CST, landing just 100 meters from its target near Mons Latreille. The lander’s shock-absorbing legs ensured it remained upright, confirming the success of the mission.
