Firefly Aerospace has introduced a new lunar imaging service called Ocula, utilizing high-resolution ultraviolet and visible spectrum imaging capabilities from lunar orbit. This service is set to be available through Firefly's Elytra orbital vehicles starting in 2026.

Ocula is made possible by advanced telescopes from the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL) that are installed on the Elytra spacecraft in lunar orbit. These telescopes will provide crucial data for identifying mineral deposits on the Moon's surface, mapping future landing sites more accurately, and enhancing cislunar situational awareness.

Jason Kim, CEO at Firefly Aerospace, expressed excitement about this new service, highlighting Ocula as one of the pioneering commercial lunar imaging services in the industry. The constellation of Elytra vehicles in lunar orbit will power Ocula, offering essential information for upcoming human and robotic missions, as well as supporting national security efforts.

Firefly's Ocula service will be activated on the Elytra Dark vehicle, initially serving as a transfer vehicle for the Blue Ghost Mission 2 scheduled for launch in 2026. Following the mission, Elytra will continue to operate in lunar orbit for over five years, capturing continuous imagery and transmitting data back to Earth autonomously.

The telescope system onboard Elytra can capture images of the lunar surface with up to 0.2-meter resolution from an altitude of 50 kilometers, advancing the capabilities of existing U.S. orbiters. With ultraviolet and visible spectrum capabilities, these telescopes will enhance situational awareness in cislunar space, provide detailed lunar surface information, and identify specific mineral concentrations.

LLNL's program leader for space, Ben Bahney, emphasized the contribution of LLNL's optical telescopes to support this new commercial imaging service for lunar mapping and domain awareness. The collaboration aims to enhance exploration efforts and scientific observations, including tracking asteroid 2024 YR4 as it approaches the Moon in 2032.

Firefly plans to license the data obtained through Ocula to government and commercial clients at an affordable rate. The service will be integrated into Firefly's upcoming missions, such as Blue Ghost Mission 2 and Blue Ghost Mission 3, to provide valuable lunar imaging data.

As Firefly expands its spacecraft production capabilities, the company intends to increase its constellation of Elytra vehicles in lunar orbit to improve the Ocula service, enabling quicker revisit times for various purposes. The long-term vision includes extending this service to Mars and other planetary bodies.

For more information on Ocula, visit the Firefly Aerospace website.