// ORBITAL LOGISTICS AND PROPULSION TERM
Moon
A natural satellite that orbits a planet. Earth has one Moon, but other planets in our solar system have many, some even larger than planets.
TECHNICAL DEFINITION
A moon is a natural celestial body orbiting a planet or minor planet, gravitationally bound to its primary, with Earth's Moon being the largest relative to its planet in the Solar System, influencing tides and planetary stability.
BACKGROUND
Firefly Aerospace Blue Ghost, or simply Blue Ghost, is a class of lunar landers designed and manufactured by the American company Firefly Aerospace. Firefly builds and operates Blue Ghost landers to deliver small payloads to the surface of the Moon. The first Blue Ghost mission was launched in January, 2025. It successfully landed on the Moon on March 2, 2025. The landers are named after the firefly species Phausis reticulata, known as blue ghosts.
READ MORE ON WIKIPEDIASYNONYMS & ALIASES
- Natural satellite
- luna
- satellite
USAGE NOTE
Moons are crucial for understanding planetary system formation and evolution, and some are targets for astrobiological study.
DEVELOPERS
Organizations developing technology related to Moon.
Developing technologies and missions for human and robotic exploration of the Moon, including the Artemis program to return humans to the lunar surface and the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.
Engaged in various lunar exploration initiatives, including developing technologies for lunar habitats, resource utilization, and contributing to international lunar missions like the Artemis Gateway.
Developing Starship, a fully reusable super heavy-lift launch system, which has been selected by NASA to provide the human landing system for the Artemis III mission to the Moon.
Developing the Blue Moon lunar lander family, designed to deliver payloads and eventually humans to the lunar surface, and contributing to various lunar infrastructure concepts.
A private company developing lunar landers and services, notably their Nova-C lander, which successfully landed on the Moon as part of NASA's CLPS program.
Developing and operating lunar landers (Peregrine and Griffin) and rovers, providing payload delivery services to the Moon for commercial and government customers under NASA's CLPS program.
Conducting lunar exploration missions, including the SLIM (Smart Lander for Investigating Moon) mission, and developing advanced lunar robotic technologies.
A private lunar exploration company developing lunar landers and rovers with a vision for lunar resource utilization and establishing a sustainable lunar economy.