
Moon rush: Why private companies race for lunar dominance
Moon exploration by private companies is escalating.
Here's why: A company that establishes infrastructure first could dominate a looming lunar economy.
The race is pushing advancements in space travel, robotics, AI, and sustainable off-world living. Private lunar explorations
What happened recently shows growing trend and marks a significant step forward in commercial lunar missions.
Early on Sunday (March 2), Firefly Aerospace successfully landed its Blue Ghost Mission 1 spacecraft upright on the Moon, thus making it the first privately built lander to accomplish such a feat.
Firefly's success has set a new, higher tempo towards this goal.
It also demonstrates the increasing role of private industry in deep-space exploration.
The lander touched down at 3:34 am US Eastern Time (0834 GMT) near Mons Latreille, a volcanic feature in the Moon's Mare Crisium region. This milestone underscores the growing capabilities of private space companies working in partnership with Nasa. Why this achievement matters
While Intuitive Machines became the first private company to land a spacecraft on the Moon in February 2024, its Odysseus lander tipped over on impact, limiting its functionality.
Blue Ghost's successful upright landing is a crucial technological leap, ensuring better stability for scientific operations and long-term sustainability of private lunar missions.
'Y'all stuck the landing, we're on the Moon,' an engineer at Firefly's mission control in Austin, Texas, exclaimed, as cheers erupted among the team. CEO Jason Kim later confirmed the lander was 'stable and upright.'
Nicky Fox, associate administrator for NASA's Science Mission Directorate, celebrated the moment, saying, 'We're on the Moon!' Autonomous precision landing
A critical aspect of the mission was Blue Ghost's ability to autonomously navigate the Moon's rugged terrain, slowing from thousands of miles per hour to just two mph before touchdown.
The first image from the lander revealed a rocky, cratered landscape, highlighting the complexity of selecting a safe landing site in real time.
The lander was launched on January 15 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and traveled 2.8 million miles to reach its destination.
The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to leverage private industry for cost-effective lunar exploration and to support the Artemis program's long-term goal of returning astronauts to the Moon. Cutting-edge science, future exploration
Blue Ghost is equipped with ten scientific instruments, including a lunar soil analyser, a radiation-tolerant computer, and an experiment testing the feasibility of using global satellite navigation systems on the Moon.
The lander is designed to operate for 14 Earth days, a full lunar day, and is expected to capture high-definition images of the total solar eclipse on March 14, when Earth's shadow will darken the Moon's surface.
Another key experiment will take place on March 16, when the lander will document a lunar sunset and study how dust levitates under solar radiation — an effect first observed by Apollo astronaut Eugene Cernan.
Texas-based Intuitive Machines is set to follow up with its second lunar mission, IM-2 (launched on March 6, 2025).
Its Athena lander will attempt to land near Mons Mouton, the southernmost lunar landing site ever targeted. This mission will feature a drill designed to search for ice deposits and a novel hopping drone meant to explore difficult lunar terrain.
NASA's broader vision involves routine lunar exploration through the $2.6 billion CLPS initiative, which has already funded multiple private lunar missions.
This approach aims to reduce costs and accelerate innovation by allowing companies to develop and deploy lunar landers and rovers for scientific and commercial purposes. Future of lunar exploration
The success of Blue Ghost comes at a pivotal time for NASA, as the agency faces potential shifts in its exploration priorities.
There's speculation that the Artemis programme might be scaled back in favour of Mars exploration.
This effort is strongly advocated by both President Donald Trump and SpaceX founder Elon Musk.
Implication: proving the viability of commercial lunar missions has never been more critical.
By demonstrating the ability to land upright and function effectively, Firefly has reinforced the growing role of private industry in space exploration, bringing humanity one step closer to sustained lunar presence and, ultimately, deep-space exploration. 5 reasons behind private Moon explorations
Here's why private companies are racing for lunar dominance:
#1. Economic opportunities
Mining and resources : The Moon is believed to contain valuable resources like helium-3 (potential for nuclear fusion), rare earth elements, and water ice (which can be converted into fuel).
Space tourism : Billionaires and private space travellers are driving demand for lunar tourism.
Lunar infrastructure and services: Companies are developing lunar habitats, communications, and transportation systems to support long-term missions. #2. Strategic and tech leadership
First-mover advantage : The companies that establish infrastructure first could dominate the lunar economy.
Tech development : The race is pushing advancements in space travel, robotics, AI, and sustainable off-world living.
Influence in space policy: Leading the lunar economy allows companies to shape future space laws and regulations. #3. Government partnerships & incentives
NASA & international contracts : Space agencies are funding private companies for lunar exploration under programs like Artemis.
Military & national security interests: The Moon could be a strategic outpost for defense and communication. #4. Gateway to Mars and beyond
Testing ground : The Moon provides a perfect environment to test technology and human endurance before attempting missions to Mars.
Lunar gateway: NASA and private firms plan to use the Moon as a launch point for deeper space missions. #5. Prestige and brand power
Publicity and investment : Companies like SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Astrobotic gain massive public and investor interest from lunar missions.
National pride and corporate identity: Being the first to establish a lunar base or commercial operation boosts global prestige.
Sign up for the Daily Briefing
Get the latest news and updates straight to your inbox
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Economy ME
2 hours ago
- Economy ME
UAE contributes to discovering new exoplanets, marks major milestone in astronomical research
The UAE's International Astronomical Center announced today that the Al Khatim Astronomical Observatory, located in the Abu Dhabi desert, has participated in observing and confirming the existence of exoplanets, marking a scientific milestone that reflects the UAE's growing role in astronomical research. An exoplanet is any planet located beyond the solar system. The achievement reinforces the UAE's active participation in leading international scientific projects aimed at deepening the understanding of the universe and exploring the potential for life beyond Earth. UAE collaborates with NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite Commenting on the UAE's latest achievement, Eng. Khalfan Al Nuaimi, president of the International Astronomical Center, said that this contribution formed part of a collaboration with NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The UAE-based observatory employs techniques to analyze minute fluctuations in stellar brightness to detect planets passing in front of their host stars, a widely adopted method for discovering exoplanets. Meanwhile, Eng. Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, director of the center, added that the Al Khatim Observatory officially joined the TESS Follow-up Observing Program (TFOP) in June 2024, following the successful completion of a rigorous training program led by international experts, followed by a successful practical test observing a candidate planet. The accomplishment of discovering exoplanets aligns with the UAE's strategic directives to strengthen its scientific leadership and contribute to global efforts to unlock the secrets of the cosmos, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and an ambitious vision for the future. Source: WAM Read: UAE's MBRSC, Firefly Aerospace partner to deploy Rashid 2 Rover to far side of moon UAE expands space exploration efforts The discovery of exoplanets is yet another milestone in the UAE's space exploration success story. In April this year, the UAE marked the anniversary of the first human spaceflight, continuing its significant contributions to space exploration led by its qualified national workforce and ambitious youth. This year's anniversary highlighted the UAE's emergence as a leading space exploration success story in the Arab and regional spheres. Its accomplishments include groundbreaking projects and the development of a skilled generation of astronauts, administrators and technical personnel. The UAE achieved a historic milestone in the first quarter of this year by launching six satellites: Thuraya 4, MBZ-SAT, Al Ain Sat-1, HCT-SAT 1, the second phase of Foresight Constellation, and Etihad-SAT. Recent milestones also included February's agreement between Mohammed Bin Rashid Space Center (MBRSC) and Thales Alenia Space. Under the agreement, Thales Alenia Space will be a strategic partner in the development of the Pressure Equalisation Unit of the Gateway Lunar Space Station. The UAE's participation in this project signifies a major step in its strategy to establish a prominent global presence in space science and technology. The UAE joined the Gateway project in January 2024 alongside the U.S., Japan, Canada, and the European Union, and announced its intent to send the first Emirati and Arab astronaut to lunar orbit.


Sharjah 24
6 hours ago
- Sharjah 24
Emirati observatory contributes to discovering new exoplanets
The achievement reinforces the UAE's active participation in leading international scientific projects aimed at deepening the understanding of the universe and exploring the potential for life beyond Earth. Eng. Khalfan Al Nuaimi, President of the International Astronomical Centre, stated that this contribution formed part of a collaboration with NASA's Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The Emirati observatory employs techniques to analyse minute fluctuations in stellar brightness in order to detect planets passing in front of their host stars — a widely adopted method for discovering exoplanets. Eng. Mohammad Shawkat Odeh, Director of the Centre, added that the Al Khatim Observatory officially joined the TESS Follow-up Observing Programme (TFOP) in June 2024, following the successful completion of a rigorous training programme led by international experts, followed by a successful practical test observing a candidate planet. This accomplishment aligns with the UAE's strategic directives to strengthen its scientific leadership and contribute to global efforts to unlock the secrets of the cosmos, supported by state-of-the-art infrastructure and an ambitious vision for the future.


The National
a day ago
- The National
Trump-Musk dispute exposes US space programme's reliance on SpaceX
A dispute between US President Donald Trump and billionaire Elon Musk that had escalated last week demonstrated a vulnerability of America's space programme and the consequences of its reliance on one private company. While the tension between President and billionaire has eased, the clash has exposed the risks of Nasa and the Department of Defence relying so much on SpaceX, Mr Musk's aerospace company, to carry out critical missions from taking astronauts into orbit to developing battlefield communications. The dispute unfolded on June 3, when Mr Musk criticised Mr Trump's proposed economic policy on X, calling it a 'disgusting abomination.' Mr Trump responded on Truth Social, threatening to withdraw 'billions and billions of dollars' in government contracts awarded to his companies. 'The clash between President Trump and Elon Musk exposes both the vulnerability of SpaceX and the reliance of the US government on SpaceX's capabilities,' said Laura Forczyk, founder of space consulting firm Astralytical. 'A healthy ecosystem needs multiple competitors to provide a variety of options for the space industry to choose from.' A public fallout Mr Musk escalated the situation by tweeting that SpaceX would begin 'decommissioning Dragon,' referring to the spacecraft that carries Nasa astronauts to the International Space Station. 'Cancelling government contracts over social media spats could be a real-world consequence to escalating rhetoric in cyberspace,' said Evan Nierman, chief executive of crisis communications company Red Banyan. 'But there is no reason for that to happen, especially since all sides will lose.' The Dragon capsule remains the only operational American spacecraft capable of transporting crew to and from the ISS, and its only rival, Boeing's Starliner, has only just completed its first crewed test flight after extensive delays. Before SpaceX, Nasa relied on Russian rockets and spacecraft for more than 10 years to ferry their astronauts to the station. Strategic reliance SpaceX launches most of the Pentagon's military satellites, delivers cargo and astronauts to the ISS, and is developing the Starship vehicle that will serve as Nasa's lunar lander for the Artemis programme. Its Starlink satellite internet system is also being used by the US military and allied forces for secure communications, including in war zones and disaster areas. 'Nasa has already invested $4 billion in SpaceX to develop the Human Landing System, and at present, there are no near-term alternatives, so SpaceX is secure for now,' said Dimitra Atri, a planetary scientist at NYU Abu Dhabi. Dr Atri said that the public dispute between Mr Trump and Mr Musk could prove useful in the long run. 'The feud essentially serves as a catalyst for diversification efforts that were likely needed regardless of political dynamics, given the strategic risks of single-source dependency,' he said. During a press briefing on June 9, Mr Trump acknowledged the importance of Starlink despite his criticisms of Mr Musk, saying: 'I may move the Tesla around a little bit, but I don't think we'll be doing that with Starlink. It's a good service.' Legal and political limits While Mr Trump has hinted at punishing SpaceX, any serious attempt to cancel or redirect federal contracts are likely to lead to legal challenges. Ms Forczyk said such actions would break procurement laws. 'Contracts by Nasa and the US Department of Defence are won by competition. In many cases, SpaceX is the best competitor,' she said. 'In a few cases, SpaceX is the only company capable of doing what the US government needs, such as launching astronauts to the International Space Station. 'Companies that feel they are treated unfairly can legally protest contract awards, as SpaceX did in 2014 and 2019. 'Political biases should not play a part in contracting decisions, and contracts under suspicion of political bias could be challenged in court. It would be illegal for President Trump to cancel a federal contract with SpaceX and give that same contract to a competitor company.' Tough times at Nasa The Trump–Musk dispute comes at a time when Nasa is under heavy funding pressure. A proposed budget cut of nearly 25 per cent for the 2026 fiscal year could jeopardise dozens of scientific missions. 'I don't think it's too far off to say that Nasa is facing its worst-ever crisis,' said Gordon Osinski, a planetary scientist at Western University in Canada. 'The Artemis programme to return humans to the Moon seemed to be safe but given the crucial role of SpaceX in this endeavour, even that could now be in jeopardy.' The face of SpaceX While SpaceX has consistently delivered on launch services and human space flight, its image is closely tied to Mr Musk's unpredictable behaviour and political views. 'The SpaceX brand is so deeply tied to Elon Musk that it is seen as an extension of him,' said Mr Nierman. 'That makes the political risk of the Trump–Musk feud harder to contain. The company's best move right now is to maintain institutional calm, keep its head down publicly, and double down on performance behind the scenes.' He said that the firm's long-term reputation would benefit from separating its operational excellence from Mr Musk's personal identity. A push for competition The argument may serve as a catalyst for Nasa and the Department of Defence to broaden their portfolio of providers, by increasing investment in Blue Origin, Northrop Grumman and emerging launch firms. Dr Atri said that while SpaceX currently leads in terms of capability and cost-efficiency, building a diversified and resilient space economy is in the national interest. Blue Origin was awarded a second Human Landing System contract by Nasa, but its lander is not expected to be ready until after the 2030s. 'That company is rapidly building the capabilities needed to challenge SpaceX in rocket launches,' said Dr Atri.