Firefly Aerospace has strengthened its position in autonomous space technology by acquiring Space-ng, a company specializing in AI-based vision navigation and autonomous guidance systems for spacecraft. This move aims to enhance Firefly’s capabilities in upcoming missions to the Moon, Mars, and national security projects.
Space-ng’s vision navigation software played a crucial role in the success of the Blue Ghost Mission 1 lunar landing, where it autonomously assessed the spacecraft’s position and attitude, identified hazardous terrain, and redirected the lander to a safe touchdown site within the Moon’s Mare Crisium. Founded in 2024 as a spinoff from Farm-ng and based in Littleton, Colorado, Space-ng focuses on AI, computer vision, autonomous systems, and flight software development.
Beyond navigation software, Space-ng contributes high-resolution spacecraft cameras and AI computational hardware designed to support onboard optical navigation, space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity operations, and docking capabilities independent of GPS or other Global Navigation Satellite Systems. Firefly plans to implement this technology across its orbital vehicles and lunar landers to strengthen upcoming missions, including NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, the MoonFall mission, and a Defense Innovation Unit project for space domain awareness.
Following the acquisition, Space-ng will integrate fully into Firefly Aerospace, which will continue to offer autonomous guidance and vision navigation services to both government and commercial customers under the Firefly brand.
Firefly Aerospace’s CEO highlighted how Space-ng’s technology proved its value during the Blue Ghost Mission 1 by enabling hazard avoidance in real time on the lunar surface. The acquisition reflects a strategic investment in advancing autonomous space operations and supporting future exploration missions beyond Earth orbit.