SpaceX launches 2 private lunar landers to the moon (video, photos)

image via Space.com

January 15, 2025, 6:36 AM

• •Two private landers have been launched toward the moon aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
• •The landers are Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and Resilience, built by the Japanese company ispace.
• •Blue Ghost will spend 25 days in Earth orbit, undergoing systems checks and beginning operations of some of its scientific payloads.
• •Resilience is taking a very energy-efficient path to the moon and therefore will get there after Blue Ghost does.

Two private landers, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and ispace's Resilience, have been launched to the moon aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Blue Ghost will spend 25 days in Earth orbit, undergoing systems checks and beginning operations of some of its scientific payloads. It will then start a four-day trek to lunar orbit, where it will stay for an additional 16 days before attempting a touchdown in Mare Crisium. Resilience is taking a very energy-efficient path to the moon and therefore will get there after Blue Ghost does. If everything goes to plan, the Japanese lander will touch down in Mare Frigoris, in the moon's northern hemisphere, about 4.5 months from now.

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