Blue Moon Pathfinder Mission 1

{{short description|Blue Origin lunar lander test flight}} {{Use mdy dates|date=November 2025}} {{Infobox spaceflight | name = Blue Moon Pathfinder Mission 1 | names_list = {{Abbr|CLPS TO CT-3|Commercial Lunar Payload Services task order CT-3}} | image = Blue Moon Mark 1 testing.jpg | image_caption = ''Endurance'' during environmental testing at Johnson Space Center | mission_type = Lunar landing flight test | operator = Blue Origin | COSPAR_ID =  | SATCAT =  | mission_duration =  | spacecraft = Blue Moon {{Abbr|MK1-101|Mark 1-Serial Number 101}} <em>Endurance</em><ref>{{Cite tweet |user=blueorigin |number=2013686788167000239 |author= Blue Origin |title=Blue Moon MK1 left for the port today ahead of shipment to Houston. Introducing Endurance. Named for Ernest Shackleton’s legendary ship that journeyed to Earth’s South Pole, MK1 honors resilience under pressure. That same spirit of perseverance guides our mission to the lunar South Pole. |link=https://x.com/blueorigin/status/2013686788167000239}},</ref> | launch_mass =  | launch_date = {{Abbr|NET|no earlier than}} 2026<ref>{{Cite news |last=Berger |first=Eric |author-link=Eric Berger (journalist) |date=June 30, 2025 |title=The second launch of New Glenn will aim for Mars |url=https://arstechnica.com/space/2025/06/the-second-launch-of-new-glenn-will-aim-for-mars/ |access-date=August 16, 2025 |work=Ars Technica |language=en}}</ref> | launch_rocket = New Glenn | launch_site = Cape Canaveral, LC{{nbhyph}}36 {{Infobox spaceflight/IP | object = Moon | type = lander | arrival_date = | location = South Pole }} | insignia = | insignia_caption = | programme = Blue Moon | previous_mission = | next_mission = Pathfinder 2 | programme2 = Commercial Lunar Payload Services | previous_mission2 = Griffin Mission One | next_mission2 = IM-3 }}

'''Blue Moon Pathfinder Mission 1''' is a planned robotic lunar landing mission to be operated by Blue Origin.<ref>https://www.nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7189/</ref>

==Overview== As a flight test of a prototype Blue Moon Mark 1 lander, the mission will demonstrate critical systems, including the BE-7 engine, cryogenic fluid power and propulsion systems, avionics, continuous downlink communications, and precision landing with an accuracy within {{Convert|100|m|sp=us}}. Validating these technologies is essential for supporting future Human Landing System missions under NASA's Artemis program, which will utilize the larger Blue Moon Mark 2 lander.<ref name="Blue Origin">{{Cite web |title=Blue Moon Mark 1 Lunar Lander |url=https://www.blueorigin.com/blue-moon/mark-1 |access-date=March 13, 2025 |website=Blue Origin |language=en-US |quote=The Pathfinder Mission (MK1-SN001) will be a demonstration mission, with MK1-SN002 and beyond available to payload customers. MK1-SN001 proves out critical systems, including the BE-7 engine, cryogenic fluid power and propulsions systems, avionics, continuous downlink communications, and precision landing within 100 m site accuracy, prior to the uncrewed NASA Human Landing System mission for the Artemis program.}}</ref>

Blue Origin also plans to offer future Blue Moon Mark 1 missions to commercial, governmental, and institutional customers seeking lunar payload delivery.<ref name="Blue Origin" /> The Pathfinder mission is partially funded by NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, under which Blue Origin was awarded {{US$|6.1 million|link=yes}} in July 2024 to transport the Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies (SCALPSS) payload. SCALPSS consists of four cameras designed to capture high-resolution imagery of how the plume from the lander's high-thrust BE-7 engine interacts with the lunar surface during and after descent.<ref name="Award">{{Cite web |date=July 24, 2024 |title=Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) JEFO for Task Order CT-3 |url=https://sam.gov/opp/bc53a5b240d5469da1b23e8184f4d999/view |access-date=March 12, 2025 |website=System for Award Management |publisher=U.S. General Services Administration}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Luinstra |first=Martijn |date=January 26, 2025 |title=NASA's CLPS program accelerates as two landers head for the Moon |url=https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/01/lunar-missions-roundup/ |access-date=March 12, 2025 |work=NASASpaceflight |language=en-US}}</ref> The data gathered will help scientists better understand the effects of rocket exhaust on the Moon's regolith, providing valuable insights for future Artemis missions.<ref name="Award" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Dooren |first=Jennifer M. |date=February 23, 2024 |title=NASA Tech Contributes to Soft Moon Landing, Agency Science Underway |url=https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-tech-contributes-to-soft-moon-landing-agency-science-underway/ |access-date=February 25, 2024 |publisher=NASA}} {{source-attribution}}</ref> Similar SCALPSS payloads were previously flown aboard the IM-1 and Blue Ghost M1 CLPS missions.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Foust |first=Jeff |date=August 12, 2024 |title=NASA payload to fly on first Blue Origin lunar lander mission |url=https://spacenews.com/nasa-payload-to-fly-on-first-blue-origin-lunar-lander-mission/ |access-date=March 13, 2025 |work=SpaceNews |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Atkinson |first=Joe |date=March 13, 2025 |title=NASA Cameras on Blue Ghost Capture First-of-its-Kind Moon Landing Footage |url=https://www.nasa.gov/general/nasa-cameras-on-blue-ghost-capture-first-of-its-kind-moon-landing-footage/ |access-date=February 22, 2026 |work=NASA |language=en-US}}</ref>

== See also == * Starship HLS * Apollo Lunar Module

== References == {{reflist}}

== External links == {{commons}} {{Portal|Spaceflight}} * [https://www.blueorigin.com/blue-moon/mark-1 Blue Moon Mark 1] – Blue Origin

Category:2026 in Florida Category:2026 in spaceflight Category:Proposed missions to the Moon Category:Artemis support missions Category:Commercial Lunar Payload Services missions Category:New Glenn Category:Blue Moon (spacecraft)

Blue Moon Pathfinder Mission 1

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