 Rendering of a Blue Moon Mark 1 spacecraft on the Lunar surface | |
| Names | CLPS TO CT-3 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Lunar landing · Flight test |
| Operator | Blue Origin |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Blue Moon Mark 1 (MK1-SN001) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | NET Q1 2026[1] |
| Rocket | New Glenn |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral,LC‑36 |
| Moon lander | |
| Landing site | South Pole |
Blue Moon Pathfinder Mission 1 is a planned roboticlunar landing mission to be operated byBlue Origin, set to launch no earlier than early 2026.[2]
As a flight test of a prototypeBlue Moon Mark 1 lander, the mission will demonstrate critical systems, including theBE-7 engine, cryogenic fluid power and propulsion systems, avionics, continuous downlink communications, and precision landing with an accuracy within 100 meters (330 ft). Validating these technologies is essential for supporting futureHuman Landing System missions underNASA'sArtemis program, which will utilize the larger Blue Moon Mark 2 lander.[3]
Blue Origin also plans to offer future Blue Moon Mark 1 missions to commercial, governmental, and institutional customers seeking lunar payload delivery.[3] The Pathfinder mission is partially funded by NASA'sCommercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, under which Blue Origin was awardedUS$6.1 million 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.[4][5] The data gathered will help scientists better understand the effects of rocket exhaust on the Moon'sregolith, providing valuable insights for future Artemis missions.[4][6] A similar SCALPSS payload was previously flown aboard theIM-1 CLPS mission.[7]
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.
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