American Spacecraft Touches Down on Moon, Sends Back Photos

Texas-based space company Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost lander has become the second private spacecraft in history to softly touch down on the Moon's surface. In fact, the company claimed in an announcement that it was the first to "successfully" do so, effectively arguing that Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander failed when it toppled over during its attempt last year (Odysseus failed to reestablish connection with the Earth a month after landing on the Moon). Rise and shine! Firefly’s #BlueGhost lander captured its first sunrise on the Moon, marking the beginning of the lunar day and the start of surface operations in its new home. Our #GhostRiders have already begun operating many of the 10 @NASA payloads aboard the lander and will… pic.twitter.com/YI9nuFZfmk — Firefly Aerospace (@Firefly_Space) March 3, 2025 Firefly's car-sized lander touched down within its target landing zone in the Mare Crisium, a massive basin on the Moon's near side. It's since sent back several photograp ... Read full article.