The Blue Ghost Chandra Lander of the Jugnu Aerospace has successfully touched the moon. The spacecraft, carrying 10 scientific and technical experiments, landed in the mare chrysium, a huge lunar ground near the moon. Shortly after the landing, it captured its first image from the surface.
Employees of the firefly aerospace at a watch party at Cedar Park in Texas were happy in Triumph as the touchdown of the Blue Ghost was confirmed after moments of intense expectation. The company shared the first image on X, wrote, “Will you see that scene! Blue Ghost captured its first image on the moon, which this bold, invincible firefly team has worked so hard in the last 3+ years. And we are just starting!”
Will you see that scene! #Blueghost Has captured its first image on the Moon, which has worked so hard in the last 3+ years by this bold, invincible firefighter team. And we are just starting! Find out what is next #BGM1 pic.twitter.com/nsdljgqopu
– firefly aerospace (@firefly_space) March 2, 2025
The engineering Briget Ouks Vice President told CNN, “The navigation system discovered such unprecedented work that looks like a relatively flat surface for us to land for us.”
Blue Ghost is part of NASA’s commercial lunar payload services (CLPS) initiative, designed to pursue lunar research and establish a permanent moon economy. With this successful mission, the firefly aerospace becomes another private company to receive a soft lunar landing after the Odicius lander of spontaneous machines last year.
So far, only five nations – India, Soviet Union, America, China and Japan – had completed the soft landing on the moon.
Launched on 15 January, Blue Ghost spent about 45 days to travel to the moon, conducted the system health check -up and started early scientific operations before landing on Sunday. The lander will work for a full lunar day (14 Earth days), collecting data on the lunar surface position, space weather interaction and the behavior of lunar dust.
On March 14, the blue ghost will capture the high-definition images of the total lunar eclipse, when the Earth completely prevents sunlight from reaching the moon.
Two days later, on 16 March, it will record the lunar sunset, it will study how solar activity causes lunar dust – Apollo 17 astronauts firstly seen by Eugene Cernan.
2 meters long and 3.5 meters wide, blue ghost has shock-absorbed legs and a broad footprint. During his final dynasty, the lander used vision-based navigation to assess the area, to avoid dangers such as craters and slopes before selecting a safe landing spot. Its response control system (RCS) thrusters ensured a controlled and smooth touchdown.
NASA initially signed a firefly for $ 93 million, but the final cost increased to $ 101 million due to epidemic supply chain disruption and amendments to the mission profile.
A major upgrade blue ghost was an increase to help the lunar nightfall cope with the excessive cold, where the temperature -130 c. It falls to. While most landers prevent operations after sunset, the goal of Blue Ghost is to push beyond the period of the specific 14 -day mission.
The Jugnu Aerospace is ready to discuss its next stages at a press conference with NASA at 4:30 pm.
