Carrying NASA science and technology to the Moon as part of the agency’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 is targeting launch Wednesday, Jan. 15. The mission will lift off on a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Live launch coverage will air on NASA+ with prelaunch events starting Monday, Jan. 13.
After the launch, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lander will spend approximately 45 days in transit to the Moon before landing on the lunar surface in early March. The lander will conduct 10 NASA science investigations to further our understanding of the Moon’s environment and help prepare for future human missions to the lunar surface, as part of the agency’s Moon to Mars exploration approach.
Science investigations on this flight aim to test and demonstrate lunar subsurface drilling technology, regolith sample collection capabilities, global navigation satellite system abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation methods. The data captured could benefit humans by providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces impact Earth. The deadline has passed for media accreditation for in-person coverage of this launch.
Full coverage of this mission is as follows (all times Eastern):
Monday, Jan. 13
2:30 p.m. – Lunar science media teleconference with the following participants:
Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 1:30 p.m. EST on Jan. 13, at [email protected].
Tuesday, Jan. 14
1 p.m. – Lunar delivery readiness media teleconference with the following participants:
Audio of the teleconference will stream live on the agency’s website
Media may ask questions via phone only. For the dial-in number and passcode, please contact the Kennedy newsroom no later than 12 p.m. EST on Tuesday, Jan. 14, at: [email protected].
Wednesday, Jan. 15
12:30 a.m. – Launch coverage begins on NASA+ and the agency’s website.
1:11 a.m. – Launch
NASA Launch Coverage
Audio only of the media teleconferences and launch coverage will be carried on the NASA “V” circuits, which may be accessed by dialing 321-867-1220, -1240, or -7135. On launch day, the full mission broadcast can be heard on -1220 and -1240, while the countdown net only can be heard on -7135 beginning approximately one hour before the mission broadcast begins. On launch day, a “tech feed” of the launch without NASA TV commentary will be carried on the NASA TV media channel.
NASA Website Launch Coverage
Launch day coverage of the mission will be available on the NASA website. Coverage will include live streaming and blog updates beginning no earlier than 12:30 a.m. EST on Jan. 15, as the countdown milestones occur. On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff.
NASA Virtual Guests for Launch
Members of the public can register to attend this launch virtually. Registrants will receive mission updates and activities by email, including curated mission resources, schedule updates, and a virtual guest passport stamp following a successful launch. Print your passport and get ready to add your stamp!
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