Blue Ghost Begins 9-Minute Braking Burn

Powered Descent Initiation has begun. During this 9-minute braking burn, Firefly’s Blue Ghost lunar lander is fully autonomous, using D’Souza Guidance — a model similar to the guidance used during the Apollo Moon missions — to position itself above the target landing site and pitch over from a horizontal to a vertical orientation.

This critical burn with all engines will reduce Blue Ghost’s orbital velocity from about 5,500 feet per second to 130 feet per second.

After this braking maneuver, Blue Ghost’s main engine will shut off with under two minutes to touchdown. The lander’s Reaction Control System thrusters will then perform the final descent, pulsing as needed to reduce orbital velocity to about 3 feet per second before touchdown. Simultaneously, Blue Ghost’s vision navigation system will track craters, slopes, and rocks to select a hazard free spot within the landing zone.