Firefly Aerospace plans to launch its Ocula service in 2025, offering high-resolution images of the Moon. This new service, developed with the help of Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), will provide incredibly detailed views of the lunar surface.
Ocula will use Firefly's Elytra spacecraft, which will orbit the Moon at a low altitude of 50 kilometers. The spacecraft has advanced sensors that can capture images with a resolution of 20 centimeters per pixel. This is better than the resolution of NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO), and will help identify valuable minerals like ilmenite and track objects in the space around the Moon.
The partnership with LLNL brings expertise in sensor technology and data analysis, ensuring high-quality images. Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, says Ocula is important for future missions and national security. The service will provide important data for both human and robotic missions, supporting intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance efforts.
Ocula services will start with the launch of the Blue Ghost 2 lunar lander in 2025, followed by the Blue Ghost 3 mission in 2028. Firefly plans to offer the images at a low cost to government and commercial customers. This supports ongoing efforts to explore the Moon, providing important data for scientific research and exploration.
Firefly's Ocula service is a big step forward in lunar imaging technology, offering high-resolution, real-time data. This advancement will be very important for exploring the Moon and for national security. The partnership with LLNL shows the commitment to using the latest technology for these goals.