On January 15, 2025, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost spacecraft launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, beginning an extraordinary journey to the Moon as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This groundbreaking mission, aptly titled "Ghost Riders in the Sky," is powered by 8 Firefly Reaction Control System (RCS) thrusters that Castheon supported with its 3D printing capabilities. These RCS thrusters excel in precise orientation in space by allowing for intricate and optimized designs that enable consistent and reliable control, even in the harsh conditions of space. Designed by Firefly, the thrusters help maintain orientation during maneuvers and throttle as needed for a soft landing on the Moon’s surface. Firefly’s precision engineering was combined with Castheon’s advanced materials science, showcasing the potential of additive manufacturing in solving some of the most complex challenges of extraterrestrial travel. As Blue Ghost orbits Earth, transits to the Moon, and prepares for its controlled descent, these thrusters are enabling a new chapter in humanity’s journey to the stars and set a new standard for propulsion technology in space exploration. Firefly’s mission demonstrates the potential of innovation and collaboration in pushing the boundaries of what is possible in space technology. #PowerThePursuit
Blue Ghost Mission 1 - Spectre RCS Thrusters After Fire Test - Photo Credit: Firefly Aerospace
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