Firefly Contracts Blue Origin for 2028 Lunar Rover Mission

Firefly Aerospace has contracted Honeybee Robotics, a subsidiary of Blue Origin, to develop a lunar rover for its Blue Ghost Mission 3, scheduled for 2028. This mission will explore the Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon's near side, utilizing NASA-sponsored payloads to analyze the geological composition of the domes, which are rich in silica. The rover will be deployed by Firefly's Blue Ghost lander, which will operate for approximately 14 days, conducting various scientific operations including the use of cameras and spectrometers. This partnership highlights the growing trend of leveraging established space technologies for lunar exploration, as Firefly builds on the success of its first lunar mission, which concluded operations in March 2025. The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, aiming to enhance our understanding of the Moon's geological history and potential resources. Both companies expressed excitement over the collaboration, emphasizing the rover's role in advancing lunar exploration capabilities.