Firefly Aerospace to carry Zeno Power nuclear payload on 2028 Moon mission

Firefly Aerospace (Nasdaq: FLY) has signed a commercial payload agreement with Zeno Power Systems to fly a radioisotope heating unit aboard a Blue Ghost lunar lander mission scheduled to launch no earlier than 2028, according to a press release from the companies.

Zeno Power's Survive-the-Night Package includes a 5-watt thermal americium-241 Radioisotope Heater Unit, along with structural, communications, electrical power, command and data handling, and thermal management subsystems. The unit generates heat through the natural decay of radioactive material, without relying on solar power.

The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program and targets the Moon's near side. After landing, the Blue Ghost lander will first operate NASA payloads using solar power for the equivalent of approximately 14 Earth days. Zeno's payload will then activate during the lunar night, when temperatures can fall below -280°F, and transmit operational data back to Earth.

"Our first Blue Ghost mission gave us firsthand insight into the Moon's extreme thermal environment, where we measured temperatures ranging from more than 230°F during the lunar day to below -275°F at night," said Ray Allensworth, Vice President of Spacecraft at Firefly Aerospace.

Tyler Bernstein, CEO and co-founder of Zeno Power, said NASA's Moon Base Program has identified the need for radioisotope power systems to support future lunar exploration.

The upcoming mission follows Firefly's Blue Ghost Mission 1, which the company states achieved the first successful commercial Moon landing in 2025. Firefly also has missions planned to the Moon's far side and the Gruithuisen Domes.

You May Also Be Interested In

• Alibaba (BABA) PT Lowered to $165 at Bernstein SocGen Group
• Jefferies Downgrades Xior Student Housing NV (XIOR:BB) to Hold
• Concurrent Technologies (CNC:LN) PT Raised to GBP3.20 at Berenberg