CEDAR PARK, Texas — Early Sunday morning, Firefly Aerospace grew to become the primary non-public firm to land successfully on the moon. The corporate’s Blue Ghost lunar lander touched down upright on its first try, carrying 10 NASA devices.
Ray Allensworth, Firefly Aerospace’s Spacecraft Program Director, described the tense moments main as much as the touchdown.
“These final quarter-hour, you may hear a pin drop. You possibly can solely hear very precise callouts,” she stated.
Again on Earth, Cedar Park Mayor Jim Penniman-Morin celebrated the corporate’s extraterrestrial achievements.
“I am only a actually proud father, or uncle on this case,” he stated, reflecting on Firefly’s development from a small firm to a pioneer in house exploration.
PREVIOUS COVERAGE| From Cedar Park to the moon: local Firefly Aerospace launches moon mission
He added that Firefly’s success will enhance financial growth within the metropolis.
“It is an actual testomony to the success that we have been having in making a spot the place the neatest individuals from around the globe need to dwell, increase their household, and work,” he stated. “That is why we’re persevering with to trace wonderful, modern companies.”
Timothee Pourpoint, a professor at Purdue College’s Faculty of Aeronautics and Astronautics, spoke in regards to the significance of this achievement for the way forward for house journey. He referred to as Firefly’s moon touchdown ‘very spectacular’.
“For me, what I hope to see is sustained journeys to the moon from corporations like Firefly. As you begin placing these items collectively, you can begin considering, can we dwell on the moon? I feel that is the place we should always go,” he stated.
Firefly Aerospace plans to launch Blue Ghost Mission Two to the far aspect of the moon in 2026.
