'We are on Moon': Giant leap in commercial exploration as Firefly becomes first private lander to reach Moon

A US spacecraft has successfully landed on the Moon, marking a major corner for private space disquisition. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost charge 1 is now the first private lander to reach the Moon without crashing or tilting over.

We're on the Moon 

The lander descended autonomously onto the pitches of an ancient stormy pate in the Moon’s northeastern near side. Firefly’s Mission Control, grounded near Austin, Texas, verified the successful touchdown from 225,000 long hauls( 360,000 kilometres) down." We’re on the Moon," a regulator blazoned, attesting that the lander was stable. This makes Firefly only the alternate private company to land successfully, after Intuitive Machines achieved a analogous corner in February 2024.

Firefly has planned for Blue Ghost

The lander carries ten scientific instruments, including a vacuum to collect lunar soil samples, a drill able of measuring temperatures 10 bases( 3 metres) below the face, and a device designed to offset lunar dust, which caused issues during the Apollo operations.

We have confirmation #BlueGhost stuck the landing! Firefly just became the first commercial company in history to achieve a fully successful Moon landing. This small step on the Moon represents a giant leap in commercial exploration. Congratulations to the entire Firefly team,…

— Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) March 2, 2025

The lander is anticipated to operate for two weeks before the harsh lunar night renders it inactive. still, Firefly has planned for Blue Ghost to continue performing for several hours into the lunar night, extending data collection sweats.

Blue Ghost transferred images of Earth and the Moon

During its trip, Blue Ghost transferred back stunning images of both Earth and the Moon. It spent 45 days travelling through space, allowing charge regulators to conduct critical health checks on its subsystems and prepare the onboard instruments for lunar operations. While in route, it successfully acquired signals from the U.S. GPS and European Galileo constellations, demonstrating the eventuality for unborn lunar navigation.

Blue Ghost’s shadow seen on the Moon’s surface! We’ll continue to share images and updates throughout our surface operations. #BGM1 pic.twitter.com/iP7fWOSths

— Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) March 2, 2025

 On March 14, the lander is anticipated to capture high- description images of a total lunar decline, when the Earth will fully block the Sun from the Moon’s horizon.

Lunar cargo services programme

Firefly also aims to validate the lunar evening on March 16, gathering data on how lunar dust levitates due to solar influences a miracle first observed by Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan. The Moon is set for further callers soon. Intuitive Machines’ IM- 2 charge is due to land this week, targeting a point near the lunar south pole. Meanwhile, Japanese company ispace has a lander on a slower line, anticipated to arrive in three months.

Just in, our #GhostRiders downlinked another incredible Moon shot following a successful touchdown! Image shows the Moon's surface and Earth on the horizon. Blue Ghost's solar panel, X-band antenna (left), and LEXI payload (right) are also in view. #BGM1 pic.twitter.com/UIMB0ON3k3

— Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) March 2, 2025

This charge is part of Nasa’s drive to support marketable lunar disquisition under its $ 2.6 billion marketable Lunar cargo Services( CLPS) programme. It follows Intuitive Machines’ IM- 1, the first private lunar wharf in February 2024.