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A private spacecraft, Blue Ghost, has successfully landed on the Moon, becoming only the second commercial vehicle to do so. Launched by Firefly Aerospace on January 15, the lander touched down in the Sea of Crises, a massive crater visible from Earth.
The mission is part of NASA’s partnership with private companies to advance lunar exploration. Blue Ghost’s smooth landing contrasts with last year’s Odysseus mission, which toppled on arrival.
Experts say private ventures could lower costs and pave the way for future human missions. Another firm, Intuitive Machines, plans to land its Athena spacecraft near the Moon’s south pole in the coming days.
