News at a glance: Science societies stand up, an asteroid threat fades, and a commercial lunar lander touches down
Sunday, March 9, 2025 - 16:54
in Astronomy & Space
PLANETARY SCIENCE Commercial probe sticks landing In its first attempt, Firefly Aerospace on 2 March became the first private company or organization to land a probe on the Moon without a hitch. Its Blue Ghost M1 lander, funded by a $101 million contract from NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, touched down on an ancient volcanic plain on the Moon’s near side. Unlike two private landers that tipped over during touchdown last year, limiting their capability, the Blue Ghost remained upright and has begun its scheduled 2 weeks of science operations. Its instruments include a vacuumlike sampler to capture lunar soil, a small heat probe, and a sounder that will...