Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander touched down on the moon’s Mare Crisium today, marking a historic success for the Texas-based company and NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Launched January 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9, Blue Ghost carried 10 NASA science instruments to the lunar surface, becoming the second privately built spacecraft to achieve a soft landing after Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus in 2024.

The hour-long descent from lunar orbit, broadcast live since 12:50 PM IST, saw Blue Ghost autonomously navigate the rugged terrain of the 350-mile-wide basin. Slowing from 5,900 kph to 1 m/s, its four shock-absorbing legs confirmed touchdown moments later, sparking cheers at Firefly’s Texas control center. “Blue Ghost has landed!” NASA declared, with initial images expected shortly.

The lander’s payloads, powered by 400-watt solar panels, include drills to study lunar heat flow, cameras to analyze landing plumes, and navigation tech testing GPS on the moon—a first. Operating for one lunar day (14 Earth days), Blue Ghost will capture a lunar eclipse on March 14 and study dust at sunset, aiding Artemis plans for human missions.

Costing NASA $101 million, this mission showcases CLPS’s goal of affordable, frequent lunar trips. Firefly’s CEO Jason Kim hailed it as a commercial triumph, with a second mission set for 2026. Following Japan’s ispace and Intuitive Machines’ upcoming landings, Blue Ghost strengthens a lunar exploration surge.

As it begins its two-week science stint, Blue Ghost stands as a beacon of private innovation and a stepping stone to Mars, proving the moon is within reach—again.