Firefly Aerospace Receives $10 Million NASA Contract Addendum for Blue Ghost Mission 1 Lunar Data

Rhea-AI Summary

Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY) has secured a $10 million contract addendum from NASA for additional data from its successful Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar mission. The company collected 120 gigabytes of data during the mission, which operated longer than any commercial lunar mission to date.

The data includes first-ever high-definition images of a solar eclipse and sunset from the Moon's surface, communications data from S-band and X-band antennas, propulsion data from Spectre thrusters, and temperature data during extreme conditions ranging from 230°F to -275°F. The mission successfully operated through a 500°F temperature delta and demonstrated innovative solutions like 'operation parasol' to manage thermal challenges.

Positive

• Secured additional $10 million NASA contract for lunar mission data
• Achieved longest operational duration for any commercial lunar mission
• Collected 120 gigabytes of valuable lunar data including first-of-its-kind imagery
• Successfully demonstrated operational capabilities in extreme lunar conditions
• Completed all mission objectives despite challenging environment

Negative

• Experienced thermal conditions beyond initial models due to unexpected surface effects

News Market Reaction

+9.56% 3.8x vol

46 alerts

+9.56% News Effect

-16.4% Trough in 23 hr 8 min

+$621M Valuation Impact

$7.12B Market Cap

3.8x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, FLY gained 9.56%, reflecting a notable positive market reaction. Argus tracked a trough of -16.4% from its starting point during tracking. Our momentum scanner triggered 46 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement added approximately $621M to the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $7.12B at that time. Trading volume was very high at 3.8x the daily average, suggesting strong buying interest.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Addendum includes additional images and data from Firefly’s 60-day lunar mission, including lunar transit and surface operations on the Moon

CEDAR PARK, Texas, Sept. 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY), a market leading space and defense technology company, today announced a $10 million contract addendum under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative for acquisition of additional science and operational data collected beyond the initial contractual requirements for Blue Ghost Mission 1 - the first commercial mission to successfully land on the Moon. In total, Firefly collected nearly 120 gigabytes of data during transit, landing, and operations on the lunar surface.

“Firefly’s Blue Ghost mission operated on the Moon longer than any commercial mission, which allowed us to capture first-of-its-kind data during multiple phenomena on the Moon’s surface, including everything from sunrise to sunset and even a solar eclipse,” said Will Coogan, Blue Ghost Chief Engineer at Firefly Aerospace. “We look forward to sharing this wealth of data with NASA and the larger scientific community to better inform future robotic and human missions that enable NASA’s Artemis campaign.”

The scope of this data buy encompasses images captured by Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander during its 45-day transit to the Moon and more than 14 days of surface operations. This includes the first high-definition images of a solar eclipse and sunset captured from the Moon’s surface, that could provide insight into outstanding questions regarding lunar dust levitation and the horizon glow phenomenon.

The data buy also includes communications data and transmit speeds from Blue Ghost’s S-band and X-band antennas, propulsion data from Firefly’s Spectre thrusters during critical burns and the final lunar descent, and other lander performance data. Firefly will also provide NASA with additional payload science data as well as lander and payload temperature data captured during a 500°F temperature delta on the Moon.

During Blue Ghost operations within the Moon’s Mare Crisium, temperatures peaked at 230°F during lunar noon, the hottest part of the lunar day, and quickly dropped to -275°F during a five-hour solar eclipse, which included two hours of totality when the Earth blocked the sun and cast a shadow on the lunar surface.

“Blue Ghost survived extreme temperature variations on the Moon that pushed us past our thermal models due to newly observed surface effects,” said Coogan. “The Firefly team demonstrated its ingenuity in operating through these extremes, developing creative solutions such as ‘operation parasol’ where we gimbaled our antenna to use it as a sunshade until temperatures dropped.”

These innovative solutions allowed the Firefly team to complete all mission objectives and gather critical data about the effects of lunar terrain along the way, including how sunlight reflections from nearby craters alter a lander's thermal state and how lunar dust buildup affects component performance.

“This data is critical as our nation works towards building a sustainable human presence on the Moon,” said Coogan. “It can significantly improve thermal models and better prepare infrastructure, habitats, and humans for the challenging lunar environment.”

About Firefly Aerospace
Firefly Aerospace is a space and defense technology company that enables government and commercial customers to launch, land, and operate in space – anywhere, anytime. As the partner of choice for responsive space missions, Firefly is the only commercial company to launch a satellite to orbit with approximately 24-hour notice. Firefly is also the only company to achieve a fully successful landing on the Moon. Established in 2017, Firefly’s engineering, manufacturing, and test facilities are co-located in central Texas to enable rapid innovation. The company’s small- to medium-lift launch vehicles, lunar landers, and orbital vehicles are built with common flight-proven technologies to enable speed, reliability, and cost efficiencies for each mission from low Earth orbit to the Moon and beyond. For more information, visit www.fireflyspace.com.

Media Contact
press@fireflyspace.com

A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/3aa7b497-f15a-44e5-8df0-15ac87aa3f9a

FAQ

What is the value of NASA's contract addendum with Firefly Aerospace (FLY)?

NASA awarded Firefly Aerospace a $10 million contract addendum for additional science and operational data from the Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar mission.

How much data did Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1 collect on the Moon?

The mission collected 120 gigabytes of data during transit, landing, and operations on the lunar surface.

What temperature extremes did Firefly's Blue Ghost experience on the Moon?

The lander experienced temperatures ranging from 230°F during lunar noon to -275°F during a solar eclipse, representing a 500°F temperature delta.

What unique lunar imagery did Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission capture?

Blue Ghost captured the first high-definition images of a solar eclipse and sunset from the Moon's surface, providing insights into lunar dust levitation and horizon glow phenomenon.

How long did Firefly's Blue Ghost operate on the Moon?

Blue Ghost operated for more than 14 days on the lunar surface, following a 45-day transit to the Moon, making it the longest-operating commercial lunar mission.