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Firefly Aerospace Adds Volta's Wireless Power Receiver to Blue Ghost Mission on Far Side of the Moon
Globenewswire· 2025-12-10 14:00
Core Insights - Firefly Aerospace has announced a commercial payload agreement with Volta Space Technologies to host a wireless power receiver on its Blue Ghost Mission 2 lander on the Moon's far side, aimed at demonstrating technology for Volta's lunar power network, LightGrid [2][3] Company Overview - Firefly Aerospace is a leading space and defense technology company that enables government and commercial customers to launch, land, and operate in space, with a focus on rapid innovation and cost efficiency [8] - Established in 2017, Firefly is recognized for its ability to launch satellites with approximately 24-hour notice and for achieving a successful lunar landing [8] Collaboration Details - The partnership with Volta is seen as a significant step towards developing lunar infrastructure, allowing for the testing of the LightPort receiver in a real lunar environment [4] - Blue Ghost Mission 2 will carry six payloads from five different countries, including NASA's LuSEE-Night radio telescope and the European Space Agency's Lunar Pathfinder satellite, aimed at enhancing lunar exploration and understanding [4] Technological Advancements - The LightGrid network will consist of satellites that collect solar energy and transmit it via laser to receivers on the Moon's surface, facilitating power distribution for lunar operations [3][4] - Firefly's Elytra Dark vehicle will initiate the Ocula lunar imaging service, providing high-resolution imaging to identify mineral deposits and map landing sites [5] Future Plans - Volta plans to begin orbital power missions in 2028, with a long-term vision of establishing a comprehensive lunar utility provider that includes communication and navigation services [9]