A historic rocket launch marked a significant milestone for space exploration, with SpaceX sending its first lunar lander, Blue Ghost, to the moon’s surface on Wednesday. The uncrewed mission is part of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the moon for the first time since 1972.
The Blue Ghost lander will touch down near Mons Latreille in a region known as Mare Crisium, or “Sea of Crises,” on the moon’s far eastern edge. On board is a group of science instruments and technology demonstrations, including satellite navigation, radiation-adapted computers, and self-cleaning glass that can clear away lunar dust.
SpaceX CEO Bob Kim expressed excitement about the mission, saying he hopes to capture images and footage of the lunar horizon glow, a phenomenon only seen by Apollo 15 and 17 astronauts. The lander will operate for about 14 days on the moon’s surface before its landing zone is thrust into lunar nighttime.
Ispace, another private company, also launched its first lunar lander, Resilience, which aims to put a miniature rover called Tenacious on the moon’s surface. The rover is designed to collect samples of lunar soil and explore the surrounding terrain.
The missions mark significant steps in space exploration, with both companies pushing the boundaries of what is possible. As Ispace CEO Nobuyuki Suzuki said, “Never Quit the Lunar Quest,” the company’s motto reflects its dedication to exploring the moon.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/01/14/science/index.html