Firefly Aerospace Secures $10 Million NASA Contract Addendum for Groundbreaking Lunar Data

2025-09-22 11:10:52 ET

Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY) , a leading innovator in space and defense technology, has announced a $10 million contract addendum under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This agreement expands the scope of data acquisition from Firefly's historic Blue Ghost Mission 1, the first commercial mission to successfully land on the Moon. The additional funding will support the collection and analysis of nearly 120 gigabytes of data gathered during the mission's transit, landing, and operations on the lunar surface.

"Firefly's Blue Ghost mission operated on the Moon longer than any commercial mission, allowing us to capture unprecedented data during various lunar phenomena, including sunrise, sunset, and even a solar eclipse," said Will Coogan, Blue Ghost Chief Engineer at Firefly Aerospace. "We're excited to share this wealth of data with NASA and the broader scientific community to advance future robotic and human missions as part of NASA's Artemis campaign."

The mission's extended duration enabled Firefly to collect high-definition images and operational data that could provide critical insights into lunar science. Among the highlights are the first-ever high-definition images of a solar eclipse and sunset captured from the Moon's surface. These visuals are expected to shed light on unresolved questions about lunar dust levitation and the mysterious horizon glow phenomenon.

Comprehensive Data Collection

The data buy includes a wide range of information, such as:

• Imaging Data : High-definition visuals captured during the 45-day transit to the Moon and over 14 days of surface operations.
• Communications and Propulsion Data : Performance metrics from Blue Ghost's S-band and X-band antennas, as well as propulsion data from Firefly's Spectre thrusters during critical maneuvers, including the final lunar descent.
• Thermal and Payload Data : Temperature readings from the lander and payloads, which endured a staggering 500F temperature delta on the Moon.

During its operations in the Moon's Mare Crisium, Blue Ghost faced extreme temperature fluctuations, with highs of 230F during lunar noon and lows of -275F during a five-hour solar eclipse. The eclipse included two hours of totality, during which the Earth completely blocked sunlight, casting a shadow over the lunar surface.

"Blue Ghost survived extreme temperature variations on the Moon that exceeded our thermal models due to newly observed surface effects," Coogan explained. "Our team demonstrated ingenuity by developing creative solutions, such as 'operation parasol,' where we gimbaled our antenna to act as a sunshade until temperatures stabilized."

These adaptive strategies enabled Firefly to complete all mission objectives while gathering critical data on the effects of lunar terrain. This included insights into how sunlight reflections from nearby craters impact a lander's thermal state and how lunar dust accumulation affects component performance.

"This data is vital as we work toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon," Coogan added. "It will significantly enhance thermal models and better prepare infrastructure, habitats, and humans for the challenges of the lunar environment."

About Firefly Aerospace

Founded in 2017, Firefly Aerospace is a leading space and defense technology company dedicated to enabling government and commercial customers to launch, land, and operate in space--anywhere, anytime. Firefly is the only commercial company to achieve a fully successful Moon landing and to launch a satellite into orbit with just 24 hours' notice. Headquartered in central Texas, Firefly's engineering, manufacturing, and testing facilities are designed for rapid innovation. The company's portfolio includes small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles, all built with flight-proven technologies to ensure speed, reliability, and cost efficiency. For more information, visit www.fireflyspace.com .

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COMTEX_468966929/2927/2025-09-22T10:10:52