Firefly Aerospace has completed a key spacecraft design review for a NASA mission that aims to deploy four robotic drones over the moon’s south pole by the end of 2028.
The Texas-based space company announced Oct. 21 that its Elytra spacecraft passed a preliminary design review (PDR) for NASA’s MoonFall mission. The milestone clears the way for the next design phase before hardware production and assembly.
The spacecraft will transport drones developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) from Earth orbit to lunar orbit before launching them over the moon’s south pole. The drones are intended to survey the terrain, identify potential landing sites and locate resources for future human missions.
The review involved engineers from Firefly, NASA and JPL, who assessed whether the spacecraft’s proposed systems could meet mission requirements. Firefly said it completed the review less than four months after receiving the contract.
Spacecraft systems pass the test
The review examined Elytra’s structural design, thermal management, propulsion, avionics, navigation, communications and control systems. Engineers also evaluated plans for qualification and environmental testing.
These systems will play different roles during the mission. Propulsion will move the spacecraft toward the moon, while guidance and navigation systems will help control its trajectory and position. Thermal systems protect devices from extreme temperatures in space.
Communication systems support contact with mission controllers, while the spacecraft’s control systems coordinate operations during travel and deployment.
Firefly said the review confirmed that Elytra’s design met mission requirements. However, this was more of a design evaluation than a demonstration of flight-ready hardware.
The company is now preparing for the Critical Design Review (CDR), a more detailed assessment designed to determine whether the spacecraft is ready for manufacturing.
“Completing the PDR less than four months after contract award is a testament to the speed and accuracy Firefly demonstrates on every mission,” said Ray Allensworth, vice president of spacecraft for Firefly Aerospace.
Four drones aim south
NASA’s MoonFall mission aims to collect information about the lunar south pole, a region being considered for future human exploration and infrastructure development.
JPL is responsible for building the four drones and managing the mission, while NASA will organize the launch vehicle. Firefly will provide the spacecraft necessary to transport and deploy the drones.
After launch, Elytra is expected to fly from Earth orbit to lunar orbit. The drones will then be deployed over the moon’s south pole, where they will carry out surveys with high-resolution optical cameras and other instruments.
The observations could help mission planners identify safer landing sites and map resources needed for future lunar operations. Such information would be useful for selecting locations where spacecraft, equipment and, ultimately, astronauts could operate.
MoonFall is part of the initial phase of NASA’s broader lunar base initiative, which aims to support a sustained human presence and expand scientific and commercial activities near the lunar south pole.
Firefly aims to be ready for launch by the end of 2028. The company has not yet demonstrated the use of the MoonFall drone, and the spacecraft still needs to complete its final design review, manufacturing, assembly and testing before launch.
