
NASA’s ‘Ghost Riders in the Sky’ Lunar Mission Successfully Launches, Targets March Moon Landing
By James Seidel | CC News Network
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. — We’re going back to the Moon! NASA’s Blue Ghost Mission 1, dubbed “Ghost Riders in the Sky,” successfully launched from Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 1:11 a.m. EST on January 15, 2025. The mission marks a significant step in NASA’s Artemis campaign, aiming to establish a long-term presence on the Moon.
The Firefly Aerospace-built Blue Ghost lunar lander is expected to touch down on the Moon’s Mare Crisium near Mons Latreille on March 2, 2025. Over the course of the mission, the lander will conduct scientific experiments, support NASA payloads, and capture never-before-seen images of lunar phenomena.

Mission Progress and Operations
After separating from the Falcon 9 at 2:17 a.m. EST, Blue Ghost established communication with Firefly’s Mission Operations Center in Cedar Park, Texas, at 2:26 a.m. EST. Engineers completed on-orbit spacecraft commissioning by 5:30 a.m. EST, verifying all systems were operational and ready for the journey ahead.
NASA and Firefly will provide regular mission updates as Blue Ghost moves through Earth orbit, trans-lunar injection, lunar orbit, and final descent.
Scientific and Navigation Breakthroughs
The mission is already achieving major scientific milestones, including:
- Record-Breaking Lunar Navigation: The Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment (LuGRE), developed by NASA and the Italian Space Agency, successfully acquired Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals at a record-breaking 205,674 miles from Earth.
- Lunar Surface Interaction Research: The SCALPSS payload, designed by NASA’s Langley Research Center, is preparing to analyze the effects of rocket engine plumes on lunar dust upon landing.
- X-Ray Imaging for Space Weather Studies: The LEXI X-ray imager, developed by Boston University, NASA, and Johns Hopkins, is being calibrated to study solar wind interactions with Earth’s magnetic field.
Capturing Stunning Images from Space
During its Earth orbit phase, Blue Ghost has already delivered spectacular imagery, including:
- A “selfie” with Earth in the background, showing the lander’s top deck and payloads.
- Earth eclipsing the Moon, captured as Blue Ghost adjusted its trajectory.
- The first images of the Moon taken from Earth orbit.
- A timelapse of Earth eclipsing the Sun, a rare celestial event.
Firefly’s radar-based lunar descent system will ensure a safe landing in Mare Crisium, where the lander will operate for approximately 14 Earth days—one full lunar day.
A Tribute to Apollo and Future Lunar Exploration
Firefly CEO Jason Kim emphasized the mission’s historical significance, referencing Apollo 17 astronaut Eugene Cernan, the last human to walk on the Moon.
“Towards the end of Blue Ghost Mission 1, we expect to capture a phenomenon Cernan observed—lunar dust levitating at sunrise, creating a glowing horizon,” Kim said. “We are honored to document this incredible sight in high definition as a tribute to the Apollo legacy.”
The Ghost Riders in the Sky mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which is accelerating private-sector lunar exploration to support Artemis goals and future Mars missions.
Blue Ghost will continue transmitting scientific data and images throughout its journey, with real-time updates available via NASA and Firefly Aerospace’s mission page.
Connect with CC News Network
Over 1,500,000 Million likes of Tiktok alone!
Join Our 100,000+ Social Media Fans:
- Follow Us on X: @CCNewsNetwork
- Follow Us on TikTok: @CCNewsNetwork
- Facebook: CC News Network
- Talk Radio: 97.7FM WVFF – Listen to Our Hit True Crime Talk Radio Show
- Follow Us on Amazon Books: Click here to follow
- Hire Us on Cameo: @CC News Network
- Follow Us on Spotify: @CC Records
- Follow Us on Bluesky: @ccnewsnetwork.bsky.social
- Follow Us on Mastadon: @CrimeandCask
- New Book Development: J6’r Autobiography