As it positions itself for a landing attempt, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander has successfully captured stunning footage of the Moon receding beneath it. The video, which has been accelerated by a factor of ten, was recorded approximately 100 kilometers (0.62 miles) above the lunar surface, providing a glimpse of the Moon’s far side along with an aerial perspective of Blue Ghost’s Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters at its center and radiator panels flanking either side.
The Texas-based aerospace company elucidated in its live blog, “The radiator panels are functioning nominally to safeguard Blue Ghost’s subsystems from the severe thermal conditions encountered in space.”
The lander is equipped with ten scientific instruments developed for NASA, which will conduct measurements in Mare Crisium, a substantial basalt-filled impact basin located on the lunar near side. This mission marks the inaugural installment of three collaborative endeavors between Firefly Aerospace and NASA.
The subsequent mission, slated for 2026, aims to place a lander on the Moon’s far side, while the third mission in 2028 will deploy a rover to investigate the enigmatic Gruithuisen Domes on the near side. Together, these missions are expected to yield vital data, assisting NASA in evaluating the potential for long-term lunar habitation and the establishment of a permanent base on the Moon.
The Blue Ghost lander is set to initiate its descent into Mare Crisium on March 2, an event that is highly anticipated.
Despite advancements in technology, landing on the Moon remains an exceptionally challenging endeavor, as the lack of atmosphere provides no natural drag to aid the descent, compelling reliance on thrusters alone. As such, the terrain’s ruggedness presents narrow margins for safe landing.
If all goes according to plan, the lander will utilize its scientific payload for an entire lunar day—equivalent to 14 Earth days—capturing images of a solar eclipse as Earth transpires before the Sun and a lunar sunset. It is expected to continue functioning for several hours into the lunar night before ceasing operations, facing the daunting cold of lunar temperatures that plummet below -246 degrees Celsius (-410 degrees Fahrenheit). All eyes will be on the spacecraft as it endeavors to achieve a successful landing; stay tuned to the mission blog for the latest updates.
Vocabulary List:
- Elucidated /ɪˈluː.sɪ.deɪtɪd/ (verb): Made something clear; explained.
- Nominally /ˈnɒm.ɪ.nəl.i/ (adverb): In name only; officially.
- Enigmatic /ˌɛnɪɡˈmætɪk/ (adjective): Difficult to interpret or understand; mysterious.
- Habitation /ˌhæbɪˈteɪʃən/ (noun): The act of living in or occupying a place.
- Daunting /ˈdɔːntɪŋ/ (adjective): Seeming difficult to deal with; intimidating.
- Thermal /ˈθɜːr.məl/ (adjective): Relating to heat or temperature.
How much do you know?
