Honeybee Robotics wins contract to build NASA moon rover

In December 2024, NASA chose Firefly Aerospace to conduct a mission involving six experiments aimed at exploring the Gruithuisen Domes on the Moon. The Gruithuisen Domes, located on the Moon's near side, are intriguing geological formations that have never been explored by humans or robotic means. Firefly's announcement in March 2025 confirmed that they selected Honeybee Robotics, a company affiliated with Jeff Bezos's Blue Origin, to supply the rover for this mission, which is scheduled for 2028. The decision to explore the Gruithuisen Domes is significant due to their geological characteristics, believed to have originated from volcanic activity. The possible presence of cooled magma and granite-like composition suggests that similarities may exist between terrestrial and lunar geological histories. This exploration is critical for science, as it could potentially reveal insights into the Moon's past and its volcanic activity, which has implications for future lunar colonies. The mission plan includes the rover navigating along the southern edge of the Gruithuisen Gamma Dome, traversing a boulder field, and reaching a recent impact crater. The rover is required to collect observations briefly before lunar night falls, enabling scientists to analyze the boulder targets under different solar illumination angles. This type of exploratory mission fosters scientific interest and progresses our understanding of the Moon's environment, particularly in identifying locations that could shelter future lunar settlers from radiation. Firefly Aerospace's previous achievement of landing its Blue Ghost lunar lander on the Moon not only marks a significant milestone for the company but also enhances their credibility as a space logistics provider. Their collaboration with Honeybee Robotics builds on prior joint efforts, including the Lunar PlanetVac and LISTER drill, further consolidating their expertise in lunar exploration. With another mission planned for 2026 and more payload providers participating, Firefly's endeavors indicate a growing interest in lunar exploration and the potential for sustainable human presence on the Moon.