Firefly Aerospace is moving closer to its highly anticipated lunar mission as its Blue Ghost lunar lander begins pre-launch environmental tests at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).
This marks a critical step in ensuring that the lander is fully prepared for its upcoming mission as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The lander, which is designed to deliver multiple scientific payloads to the Moon’s surface, is now undergoing a battery of tests that will validate its readiness for the harsh conditions of space travel and lunar operations.
Extensive Pre-Launch Testing: Ensuring Readiness for Space
The Blue Ghost lander, Firefly’s first lunar vehicle, arrived at JPL after undergoing extensive testing at the company’s Texas headquarters. These in-house tests were designed to simulate the landing and operational challenges the spacecraft will face on the lunar surface. Firefly engineers created a one-acre simulated moonscape to test the lander’s hazard avoidance and terrain-relative navigation technologies. The tests included nearly 100 drop tests, which were conducted to ensure that Blue Ghost’s legs can withstand the shock of a lunar landing. Additionally, engineers used drones to simulate the spacecraft's descent and test its ability to navigate autonomously in a lunar environment.
“These tests are setting a new standard in the industry,” said Jana Spruce, Firefly’s vice president of spacecraft. She added, “After all the hard work, it’s bittersweet to see Blue Ghost leave our Texas-based facility, but we’re more than ready for this final test.”
At JPL, the lander is now being subjected to a comprehensive series of environmental tests. These include vibration, acoustic, thermal vacuum, and electromagnetic interference (EMI) tests. The vibration tests will simulate the intense shaking that the lander will experience during launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, while acoustic tests will ensure that the spacecraft can endure the extreme noise levels produced during lift-off. The thermal vacuum tests will replicate the temperature extremes and near-vacuum conditions of space, while the EMI tests will check for potential interference between the lander’s electronic systems and external sources of electromagnetic radiation.
Firefly Aerospace's interim chief executive, Peter Schumacher, emphasized the importance of this phase: “The extensive environmental testing we’ll complete at JPL, combined with the robust testing we’ve already completed in house, will further reduce our risk posture and set us up for a successful soft landing.” He further noted that testing at JPL is a proud continuation of the legacy of NASA’s Surveyor landers from the 1960s, which were also tested in the same facilities.
A Key Role in NASA’s Lunar Exploration Efforts
If all goes according to plan, Blue Ghost is set to launch in the fourth quarter of 2024. After liftoff, the lander will spend about one month in Earth orbit undergoing final system checks before heading towards the Moon. Once it enters lunar orbit, Blue Ghost will spend an additional two weeks orbiting the Moon to ensure all systems are functioning correctly ahead of its descent to the lunar surface.
The lander is targeting Mare Crisium, a vast plain located in the northeastern quadrant of the Moon’s near side. This region has been chosen for its scientific interest, as it offers a relatively flat surface and is known for its unique geological features. Blue Ghost will carry 10 science and technology demonstration payloads, including an X-ray imager to study the Earth’s magnetosphere, a lunar regolith sampling system, and a receiver capable of detecting GPS and Galileo navigation signals at lunar distances.
Firefly’s mission is part of NASA’s broader strategy to advance lunar exploration through the CLPS program, which seeks to facilitate the delivery of scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the Moon. The success of these missions is seen as critical for supporting NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon by 2025 and establish a sustainable presence there. Firefly is among a small number of companies chosen by NASA to contribute to this ambitious effort, following in the footsteps of Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines.
Overcoming Challenges and Looking Ahead
While Firefly is now poised to become the third company to attempt a lunar landing under the CLPS program, it faces significant pressure to deliver a successful mission. Previous attempts have encountered difficulties: Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander, for instance, suffered a propulsion malfunction during its launch earlier this year, leading to an aborted landing. Similarly, Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander experienced a partial success in February, managing to land on the Moon but ultimately falling on its side, limiting its functionality.
Blue Ghost is designed to operate for one lunar day—which equates to 14 Earth days—and will continue functioning for several hours into the lunar night. Its mission will gather valuable data and test new technologies that could be used in future lunar missions. Firefly has also been awarded a contract for a second lunar lander mission, known as Blue Ghost 2, which is scheduled for 2026 and will attempt to land on the far side of the Moon. This mission will carry an astrophysics experiment and two additional payloads, further advancing NASA’s lunar exploration goals.