Private Spacecraft Captures Mind-blowing Footage Of The Moon’s Hidden Side – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel
Newly released footage from the Moon’s far side is turning heads, but what’s coming next could be even more groundbreaking. A rare celestial event is about to unfold—are we ready for what it might reveal?A private lunar lander has captured and sent back breathtaking footage of the far side of the Moon, offering a rare glimpse of a region hidden from Earth’s view. The Blue Ghost spacecraft, operated by Firefly Aerospace and funded by NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, is on its way to a historic landing in Mare Crisium on March 2.The far side of the Moon has long remained a mystery. Unlike the near side, which features large, dark plains, the far side is heavily cratered and lacks the same level of volcanic activity. The footage captured by Blue Ghost reveals this rugged terrain in unprecedented detail.The spacecraft completed a precise orbital adjustment, firing its engines for over three minutes to shift into a lower elliptical orbit around the Moon. During this maneuver, it snapped incredible images from approximately 120 km above the surface. The high-resolution footage highlights the sharp contrasts between the cratered landscape and the vast lunar highlands, reinforcing just how different this region is from the side we see from Earth.While orbiting the Moon, Blue Ghost is conducting a series of calculated burns to gradually lower itself closer to the surface. The lander is carrying 10 scientific and technological payloads, designed to study various aspects of the lunar environment.Researchers are studying the Moon’s electric and magnetic fields, with special instruments onboard that will map their structure in detail. Another key experiment involves capturing X-ray images of Earth’s magnetosphere, which could enhance our understanding of how the Moon interacts with Earth’s space weather.NASA is also using this mission to test new lunar technologies. The lander will assess how radiation-tolerant computing systems perform in deep space, as well as the effectiveness of dust mitigation techniques, which are essential for future human missions. It will also experiment with regolith sampling methods, helping prepare for upcoming lunar resource extraction projects.Blue Ghost is set to land in Mare Crisium on March 2, a lunar basin chosen for its scientific value and smooth terrain. The lander will operate for 14 days before shutting down due to the extreme cold of lunar night.On March 14, it will capture a total eclipse, when Earth blocks the Sun from the Moon, helping scientists study temperature changes on the surface.Two days later, on March 16, it will observe the lunar sunset, analyzing how electrically charged dust levitates, a phenomenon that could impact future Moon missionsThe Blue Ghost mission is more than just a technological showcase—it represents a major step in NASA’s plan to collaborate with private companies for lunar exploration. Through CLPS, NASA is entrusting commercial partners to deliver payloads to the Moon, a move that reduces costs and accelerates scientific progress.Firefly Aerospace, along with other private space firms, is proving that commercial spaceflight has the capability to support deep-space missions in ways that were once exclusive to government agencies.The insights gained from this mission will help pave the way for NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a sustainable lunar presence. The mission’s findings will also shape future efforts to develop lunar bases, extract resources, and enable long-term exploration beyond Earth’s orbit.so where is the clip?!Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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