NASA CAPTURES FIRST-EVER FOOTAGE OF LUNAR LANDER ENGINE PLUMES INTERACTING WITH MOON’S SURFACENASA’s
Langley Research Center has released groundbreaking footage of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander touching down on the Mare Crisium region of the Moon—offering an unprecedented look at how lunar landers disturb the surface.
Using the SCALPSS 1.1 instrument, researchers recorded over 3,000 images, showing how thruster plumes kick up lunar dust, soil, and rocks—a critical factor in designing future landers and lunar infrastructure.
The data will help predict landing effects as NASA prepares for Artemis missions and increased lunar activity. The team is already planning its next experiment on Blue Origin’s Blue Moon lander later this year.