NASA CLPS Lunar Mission: Firefly to Land Rovers at South Pole

NASA Awards CLPS Lunar Mission Contract to Firefly

NASA has awarded Firefly Aerospace of Cedar Park, Texas, a $176.7 million contract. Firefly will send two robotic rovers and three scientific instruments to the Moon’s South Pole. This delivery supports NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) program and aligns with the broader Artemis initiative to explore new lunar regions.

First Multi-Rover CLPS Lunar Mission

This mission will be the first CLPS lunar delivery that includes multiple rovers and stationary science instruments. NASA is collaborating with the Canadian Space Agency and the University of Bern. The team will study the Moon’s surface chemistry and evaluate resources within shadowed polar areas.

Joel Kearns, a NASA deputy associate administrator, shared that these studies will directly support both scientific understanding and the goals of long-term lunar exploration.

Timeline and Partnership Overview

Firefly will manage the mission from start to finish under the CLPS task order. The mission aims for a lunar landing in 2029 and will run through March 29, 2030. It marks Firefly’s fifth CLPS award and its fourth mission to the Moon.

Firefly has already completed a near-side lunar landing in March 2025. In 2026, it plans a dual-purpose mission that will deliver a satellite and conduct a far-side Moon landing. In 2028, Firefly is scheduled to explore the Gruithuisen Domes, a unique volcanic region.

Preparing for Future Human Exploration

Adam Schlesinger, NASA’s CLPS initiative manager, explained that each CLPS lunar mission lays the groundwork for future human missions. The technology and data from these deliveries are crucial for establishing a lasting presence on the Moon and preparing for Mars.

What the CLPS Lunar Mission Will Deliver

MoonRanger Rover is a compact autonomous vehicle that will collect images and data while navigating the Moon’s surface. It includes a Neutron Spectrometer System to study hydrogen and soil. This project is led by NASA Ames, Carnegie Mellon University, and Astrobotic.

Stereo Cameras for Plume Surface Studies will observe how rocket plumes affect the Moon’s surface during lander descent. This information will support safer and more efficient future missions. NASA Langley Research Center is leading the project.

Laser Retroreflector Array is a passive device that reflects lasers from Earth to precisely measure distances. It will remain on the Moon as a long-term marker. NASA Goddard Space Flight Center is overseeing its deployment.

CSA Rover from the Canadian Space Agency is designed to explore hard-to-access areas, including permanently shadowed regions. The rover will carry stereo cameras, a neutron spectrometer, and a NASA thermal imager.

Laser Ionization Mass Spectrometer will be mounted on a robotic arm built by Firefly. This tool will use a laser to analyze the Moon’s surface chemistry and isotopic composition. The University of Bern is leading this instrument’s development.

Building a Commercial Lunar Future

NASA’s CLPS lunar mission program aims to create a sustainable Moon economy by working with American companies. These missions will advance science, technology, and commercial innovation. They also prepare NASA for future crewed missions beyond the Moon, including to Mars.

This South Pole mission is not just another lunar delivery. It represents a bold step forward in building the future of lunar exploration.