Video: Moment SpaceX deployed two lunar landers in space to begin journey to Moon

The two landers, named Blue Ghost and Resilience, are on distinct missions aimed at different lunar regions.

In Short

• This uncrewed mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services
• Ispace's Resilience aims for Mare Frigoris in the Moon's northern hemisphere
• Blue Ghost, developed by Firefly Aerospace, is set to land in Mare Crisium

SpaceX successfully deployed two lunar landers in space aboard a Falcon 9 rocket after launch from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

The mission, which took off at 11:41 am IST, marks a significant milestone in lunar exploration as it features two robotic landers from different nations—Firefly Aerospace of the United States and Ispace of Japan—sharing a single launch vehicle for the first time.

The two landers, named Blue Ghost and Resilience, are on distinct missions aimed at different lunar regions. Blue Ghost, developed by Firefly Aerospace, is set to land in Mare Crisium, a vast basin formed by ancient asteroid impacts.

WATCH TWO LUNAR LANDERS DEPLOYED IN SPACE

This uncrewed mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program and carries ten scientific instruments designed to enhance our understanding of the Moon's environment27.

In contrast, Ispace's Resilience aims for Mare Frigoris in the Moon's northern hemisphere and includes a small rover named Tenacity.

This launch is part of a busy year for lunar exploration, with multiple missions planned as part of renewed efforts to establish a sustained human presence on the Moon. The Falcon 9 rocket's first stage successfully returned to Earth, landing on the droneship "Just Read the Instructions" after approximately 8.5 minutes of flight.

Following this, the rocket's second stage positioned Blue Ghost into lunar transfer orbit about 65 minutes post-launch, with Resilience deployed shortly thereafter.

Both missions highlight the growing collaboration between private companies and space agencies in exploring our nearest celestial neighbour.