Space Luisa Fernanda
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Friday, October 2, 2026 · UTC
Launches & Rockets

Starcloud and Firefly Aerospace agree lunar orbit AI computing payload deal

The demonstration payload will launch on Firefly's third lunar mission, targeted no earlier than 2028.

Luisa Marconi
Senior Space Correspondent
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Stands on 8 placed sources from 3 publishers.
Lunar mission payload takes shape in nighttime assembly
Lunar mission payload takes shape in nighttime assembly AI illustrationhow this picture was made
Starcloud and Firefly Aerospace have entered a commercial payload agreement to demonstrate advanced AI computing capabilities in lunar orbit. [2] The payload will fly aboard Firefly's third lunar mission, currently targeted to launch no earlier than 2028. [5] Firefly previously established a collaboration with NVIDIA for on-orbit data processing for its Ocula lunar imaging service. [7] Ray Allensworth, Vice President of Spacecraft at Firefly Aerospace, stated the partnership lays groundwork for lunar computing infrastructure, and supports establishing a permanent human and robotic presence at the Moon. [1][4][8] On 30 September 2026, NASA selected three new scientific investigation payload suites to support development of the planned lunar Moon Base. One suite, LEMS-SP, will monitor lunar micrometeoroids, volatiles and seismic activity to assess surface hazards for base infrastructure. [3][6]
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What this stands on
  1. Ray Allensworth, Vice President of Spacecraft at Firefly Aerospace, stated the partnership lays groundwork for future lunar computing infrastructure. · Investing.com
  2. Starcloud and Firefly Aerospace have entered into a new commercial payload agreement to demonstrate advanced AI computing capabilities in lunar orbit. · Interesting Engineering
  3. NASA selected three new scientific investigation payload suites on 2026-09-30 to support development of the planned lunar Moon Base. · NASAUnited Statesofficial source
  4. Ray Allensworth, Vice President of Spacecraft at Firefly Aerospace, stated the collaboration advances infrastructure for permanent lunar presence. · Investing.com
  5. Starcloud is being onboarded to Firefly's third lunar mission that is targeted to launch no earlier than 2028. · Interesting Engineering
  6. The LEMS-SP payload will monitor lunar micrometeoroids, volatiles, and seismic activity to assess surface hazards for Moon Base infrastructure. · NASAUnited Statesofficial source
  7. Firefly Aerospace previously announced a collaboration with NVIDIA for on-orbit data processing for its Ocula lunar imaging service. · Investing.com ·
  8. Ray Allensworth, Vice President of Spacecraft at Firefly Aerospace, stated that the collaboration supports establishing infrastructure for a permanent human and robotic presence at the moon. · Interesting Engineering
The one we could place publishes from United States. 2 could not be placed by their address. 1 is an official body, so this traces to the document itself.