---
title: "NASA and Firefly Aerospace Prepare MoonFall Mission for Lunar Resource Exploration"
description: "NASA and Firefly Aerospace are preparing the MoonFall mission, scheduled for 2028. The Elytra spacecraft will deliver four drones to the lunar south pole for resource exploration."
date: 2026-10-22T13:35:05.861Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/nasa-firefly-aerospace-lunar-exploration-moonfall
tags: [nasa, moonfall, firefly-aerospace, elytra, moon, space-exploration, robotics]
author: "Alexander Buran"
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# NASA and Firefly Aerospace Prepare MoonFall Mission for Lunar Resource Exploration

![Visualization of the Elytra spacecraft and four lunar drones against the Moon's surface](https://xab.info/media/2026/10/22/nasa-firefly-aerospace-lunnaya-razvedka-moonfall/nasa-firefly-aerospace-lunnaya-razvedka-moonfall-1.webp)

## Key Points

- The MoonFall mission is scheduled for completion by the end of 2028.
- The Elytra spacecraft will transport four drones to the Moon's south pole.
- Drones will identify resources and landing zones for future missions.
- The project is advancing to the Critical Design Review (CDR) stage.

NASA plans to significantly step up its exploration of Earth's natural satellite by announcing the MoonFall mission, which aims to conduct a detailed reconnaissance of the lunar south pole. Under this project, expected to be implemented by the end of 2028, four robotic drones will be delivered to the lunar surface. The primary transport platform for this expedition will be the Elytra spacecraft, developed by Firefly Aerospace, whose design concept has already passed official expert verification.

### Technological Partnership and the Elytra Transport System

The Elytra spacecraft plays a decisive role in the logistics of the upcoming mission. It is designed to transport four autonomous drones, developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), from Earth orbit directly to the lunar destination. Upon reaching lunar orbit, Elytra will deploy the robots over the strategically important south pole region, which has been selected for a future base due to high interest in water reserves and other mineral resources.

### Tasks of the Automated Research Systems

The primary task of the JPL drones will be the autonomous survey of the complex lunar terrain. These devices will scan the surface to identify the safest and most suitable landing sites, a critical factor for the safety of subsequent crewed expeditions. Furthermore, the drones will search for mineral resources necessary to sustain long-term human presence on the Moon and foster the development of commercial infrastructure.

### Implementation Stages and Project Review

Developing the project required close collaboration between engineers from Firefly, NASA, and JPL. A joint group of experts conducted a comprehensive analysis of the vehicle's design, including thermal control systems, avionics, navigation equipment, and propulsion systems. The successful completion of the preliminary design review confirmed that all engineering solutions meet NASA's rigorous requirements. Ray Allensworth, Vice President of Spacecraft at Firefly Aerospace, noted that this milestone demonstrates the speed and rigor brought to every mission.

### Prospects for Lunar Infrastructure

The project is now moving to the Critical Design Review (CDR) phase, which will serve as the final readiness check before full-scale manufacturing and assembly of the Elytra vehicle begin. The success of the MoonFall mission will lay the foundation for establishing a permanent base at the lunar south pole. These steps are expected to form the basis for expanded scientific activity and the creation of a sustainable space economy, enabling humanity to strengthen its presence beyond Earth.

## Fact-Check & Sources

- [NASA готовит разведку Луны: как дроны будут искать ресурсы для будущих миссий](https://www.rbc.ua/ukr/news/nasa-gotue-rozvidku-misyatsya-k-droni-shukatimut-1792673874.html) - Information confirmed by the provided source regarding the Elytra design and MoonFall objectives.

## FAQ

### What is the MoonFall mission?

It is a NASA project to explore the lunar south pole using four autonomous drones transported by the Elytra spacecraft.

### What is Firefly Aerospace's role?

The company developed the Elytra spacecraft, which is responsible for transporting the research drones from Earth orbit to the Moon.

### What are the main goals of the drones?

The drones are tasked with surveying the terrain, finding safe landing sites, and detecting valuable resources.