What is the “Firefly’s” goal?
Firefly’s first Blue Ghost mission, “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” is set to deliver ten scientific instruments to the Moon under NASA’s CLPS initiative. Scheduled for launch in late 2024, it will take about 45 days to reach Mare Crisium, which will operate for a lunar day (14 Earth days). After completing payload operations, Blue Ghost will capture images of the lunar sunset and gather data on how the lunar regolith reacts to the transition into lunar night.
The Firefly’s components:
- Pressure Tanks x2
- 49 lightweight struts
- 2 vision navigation cameras
- RSC (1600 N of power)
- ACS Thrusters x12
- 1000 N engine
- 4 shock absorbing legs
- 1 X-band antenna
- 400W Solar Panels
Height: 2 m (6.6 ft) tall and 3.5 m (11.5 ft) wide
How the Firefly works:
Blue Ghost is built to safely land with special feet that absorb shock, a low center of gravity, and a wide base. Its main parts, like the panels, struts, legs, harnesses, electronics, batteries, and engines, are made using proven technologies that are also used in Firefly’s other rockets. This helps to lower costs and make it more reliable.
Related Stories:
- https://fireflyspace.com/missions/blue-ghost-mission-1/
- https://www.nasa.gov/event/firefly-aerospace-commercial-lunar-payload-services/
- https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/firefly-aerospace-shipped-blue-ghost-for-environmental-testing-ahead-of-mission-to-the-moon-302230440.html
- https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/6794
- https://spacenews.com/firefly-aerospaces-lunar-lander-begins-pre-launch-environmental-tests/h
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