SpaceX Launches Two Private Lunar Landers: A Milestone for Lunar Exploration and NASA’s Long-Term Lunar Ambitions

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Blue Ghost's Mission Timeline

Blue Ghost, Firefly Aerospace's inaugural lunar lander, will spend the initial 25 days in Earth orbit conducting system checks and collecting data with its 10 science and technology instruments, provided through NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. Subsequently, it will execute an engine burn to set course for the Moon, reaching lunar orbit in approximately four days. After a 16-day orbital period, Blue Ghost is scheduled to land in Mare Crisium, a lunar nearside basin. The solar-powered lander is designed to operate for one lunar day (about 14 Earth days), after which it will cease functions as lunar night falls.

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Resilience’s Mission

Resilience, the lander developed by ispace, is embarking on a more prolonged and energy-efficient trajectory. It is expected to perform a lunar flyby approximately one month post-launch and achieve lunar orbit within four months. The mission plan includes deploying a micro rover to collect lunar samples and conducting experiments to assess potential food and water sources for future explorers. This mission represents ispace's second lunar attempt, following a previous endeavor