Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander has made history by capturing a breathtaking image of sunrise on the moon after successfully landing on the lunar surface. The private spacecraft landed close to Mons Latreille, a solitary lunar peak in the vast basin Mare Crisium, and is now starting its workday.
The Blue Ghost lander began operating its science payloads and taking stunning images of its surroundings, including a dramatic sunrise that contrasts with shadowed craters on an uneven lunar surface. The image captures the intensely bright sun on the moon’s surface, highlighting the unique conditions of the lunar environment.
According to Firefly Aerospace, many of the 10 NASA science payloads aboard the lander have begun operating and will continue for the next two weeks. These instruments will contribute to studies in areas such as lunar composition, geology, heat flow, and space weather. Additionally, the Blue Ghost lander is testing drilling technology and capturing how lunar dust levitates on the surface.
Firefly CEO Jason Kim hailed the mission’s success, saying that the company has proven its ability to deliver reliable access to the moon at an affordable price. The company aims to establish a lasting lunar presence, paving the way for future missions to unlock access to the solar system.
This achievement marks another step in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon by 2025. Private companies like Firefly Aerospace are playing a crucial role in supporting this effort through their participation in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/sunrise-on-the-moon-private-blue-ghost-lander-captures-amazing-shot-after-historic-lunar-touchdown-photo