Firefly Aerospace has achieved a major step in lunar exploration. Its Blue Ghost lander has successfully drilled into the Moon’s surface, providing vital insights into the lunar interior.
Drilling into the Moon
The operation was carried out using the Lunar Instrumentation for Subsurface Thermal Exploration with Rapidity (LISTER) payload. This advanced drill, developed by Texas Tech University and Honeybee Robotics, is designed to study the Moon’s thermal properties. Scientists aim to measure temperature variations at different depths and how well the subsurface materials conduct heat.
Understanding these factors helps researchers learn more about the Moon’s geological history and how it has evolved over billions of years.
Blue Ghost’s Mission Progress
Blue Ghost successfully touched down in Mare Crisium on 2 March 2025, becoming the first commercial lander to achieve a soft lunar landing. The lander carries ten NASA instruments to support future Artemis programme missions.
Over the past week, the lander has been operating multiple payloads, including the Electrodynamic Dust Shield and Lunar PlanetVac. The mission faces extreme lunar temperatures, reaching up to 121°C during the day. To protect equipment, Blue Ghost uses controlled power cycling.
The successful drilling operation with LISTER sets the stage for more advanced lunar and planetary exploration. Understanding the Moon’s thermal properties will help prepare for long-term human presence on the surface.