Illustration of of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander on the lunar surface. The lander will carry a suite of 10 science investigations and technology demonstrations to the moon in 2023 as part of NASA s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. Photo Credit: Firefly Aerospace
On Feb. 4, NASA announced that it has awarded Firefly Aerospace (Cedar Park, Texas, U.S.) approximately $93.3 million to deliver a suite of 10 science investigations and technology demonstrations to the moon in 2023. The delivery, planned for Mare Crisium, a low-lying basin on the moon’s near side, is expected to investigate a variety of lunar surface conditions and resources. Such investigations are intended to help prepare for human missions to the lunar surface, NASA says.