Connect with us

Technology

Touchdown! Carrying NASA Science, Firefly’s Blue Ghost Lands on Moon

Published

on

WASHINGTON, March 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Carrying a suite of NASA science and technology, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 successfully landed at 3:34 a.m. EST on Sunday near a volcanic feature called Mons Latreille within Mare Crisium, a more than 300-mile-wide basin located in the northeast quadrant of the Moon’s near side.

The Blue Ghost lander is in an upright and stable configuration, and the successful Moon delivery is part of NASA’s CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) initiative and Artemis campaign. This is the first CLPS delivery for Firefly, and their first Moon landing.

The 10 NASA science and technology instruments aboard the lander will operate on the lunar surface for approximately one lunar day, or about 14 Earth days.

“This incredible achievement demonstrates how NASA and American companies are leading the way in space exploration for the benefit of all,” said NASA acting Administrator Janet Petro. “We have already learned many lessons – and the technological and science demonstrations onboard Firefly’s Blue Ghost Mission 1 will improve our ability to not only discover more science, but to ensure the safety of our spacecraft instruments for future human exploration – both in the short term and long term.”

Since launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida on Jan. 15, Blue Ghost traveled more than 2.8 million miles, downlinked more than 27 GB of data, and supported several science operations. This included signal tracking from the Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) at a record-breaking distance of 246,000 miles with the Lunar GNSS Receiver Experiment payload – showing NASA can use the same positioning systems on Earth when at the Moon. Science conducted during the journey also included radiation tolerant computing through the Van Allen Belts with the Radiation-Tolerant Computer System payload and measurements of magnetic field changes in space with the Lunar Magnetotelluric Sounder payload.

“The science and technology we send to the Moon now helps prepare the way for future NASA exploration and long-term human presence to inspire the world for generations to come,” said Nicky Fox, associate administrator for science at NASA Headquarters in Washington. “We’re sending these payloads by working with American companies – which supports a growing lunar economy.”

During surface operations, the NASA instruments will test and demonstrate lunar subsurface drilling technology, regolith sample collection capabilities, global navigation satellite system abilities, radiation tolerant computing, and lunar dust mitigation methods. The data captured will benefit humanity by providing insights into how space weather and other cosmic forces impact Earth. 

Before payload operations conclude, teams will aim to capture imagery of the lunar sunset and how lunar dust reacts to solar influences during lunar dusk conditions, a phenomenon first documented by former NASA astronaut Eugene Cernan on Apollo 17. Following the lunar sunset, the lander will operate for several hours into the lunar night.

“On behalf of our entire team, I want to thank NASA for entrusting Firefly as their lunar delivery provider,” said Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace. “Blue Ghost’s successful Moon landing has laid the groundwork for the future of commercial exploration across cislunar space. We’re now looking forward to more than 14 days of surface operations to unlock even more science data that will have a substantial impact on future missions to the Moon and Mars.”

To date, five vendors have been awarded 11 lunar deliveries under CLPS and are sending more than 50 instruments to various locations on the Moon, including the lunar South Pole. Existing CLPS contracts are indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contracts with a cumulative maximum contract value of $2.6 billion through 2028. 

Learn more about NASA’s CLPS initiative at:

https://www.nasa.gov/clps

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/touchdown-carrying-nasa-science-fireflys-blue-ghost-lands-on-moon-302389372.html

SOURCE NASA

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

Alogent Receives Federal Reserve Authorization to Directly Exchange X9 Check Image Files for Banks and Credit Unions, Expanding its Role as a Payments Infrastructure Provider

Published

on

By

PEACHTREE CORNERS, Ga., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Alogent (@AlogentCorp), a global software leader in the banking and financial services market, announced it has been authorized by the Federal Reserve to send and receive X9 check image exchange files on behalf of its financial institution clients, enabling end-to-end check presentment and returns without the need for intermediary processors.

This direct connectivity allows banks and credit unions to consolidate capture, processing, clearing, settlement, and returns within a single, integrated Alogent platform, delivering faster processing, simpler integrations, fewer vendors, and greater operational control.

“Becoming authorized by the Federal Reserve to directly exchange X9 files for both outbound presentment and inbound returns marks a fundamental shift in Alogent’s role in the payments ecosystem,” said Dede Wakefield, CEO of Alogent. “By removing third‑party intermediaries, we’re repositioning Alogent as a core infrastructure provider, giving banks and credit unions a more direct path to the Fed, and a strong foundation as payments continue to modernize toward consolidation and real‑time settlement.”

Key Benefits for Banks and Credit Unions Include:

Direct exchange of X9 check presentment and return files with the Federal Reserve, without intermediary processorsFaster clearing and settlement times for check image exchangeEnd-to-end visibility across forward presentment and returns workflowsSimplified technology integrations and reduced vendor sprawlGreater operational control and transparency across payment workflowsA future‑ready foundation for real‑time and next‑generation Fed services

“This authorization translates our product strategy into tangible operational benefits for banks and credit unions,” said Ashish Bhatia, VP of Product Management at Alogent. “By consolidating critical payment workflows within a single platform, institutions gain simpler operations, stronger oversight, and sustained control.”

As adoption of faster payments and modern settlement models accelerates, Alogent’s direct Federal Reserve connectivity positions both the company and its clients at the center of the evolving U.S. payments infrastructure, while establishing a foundation for potential direct connectivity to additional Federal Reserve services, including FedNow® real‑time payments, Fedwire®, FedACH®, and FedLine®. This authorization places Alogent among a limited group of technology providers trusted to directly exchange check image files with the Federal Reserve on behalf of financial institutions.

About Alogent

Alogent provides proven, end-to-end check payment processing, and enterprise content, information, and loan management platforms, to financial institutions of all sizes, including credit unions, community banks, and some of the largest national and international institutions. Our unique approach spans the entire transaction ecosystem — capturing and digitizing transaction data, exception tracking, and automating entire transaction and loan management workflows so that information is available across the enterprise. Alogent’s solution suites leverage the latest in machine learning and predictive analytics, including enterprise-wide data intelligence and reporting solutions that enable financial institutions to deliver products and services that boost engagement through personalization and data-backed decisions. Learn more about Alogent at www.alogent.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/alogent-receives-federal-reserve-authorization-to-directly-exchange-x9-check-image-files-for-banks-and-credit-unions-expanding-its-role-as-a-payments-infrastructure-provider-302746616.html

SOURCE Alogent

Continue Reading

Technology

yieldWerx and Enlight Technology Extend Design-to-Test Data Continuity Across Taiwan’s Semiconductor Ecosystem

Published

on

By

HSINCHU, Taiwan, April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — yieldWerx is expanding its presence in Taiwan through a collaboration with Enlight Technology Co., Ltd., bringing advanced test data aggregation and analysis capabilities to one of the world’s most concentrated semiconductor markets.

The collaboration combines Enlight Technology’s established role across Taiwan’s semiconductor design, manufacturing, and research landscape with yieldWerx’s expertise in data aggregation and statistical analysis. Together, the companies aim to address the increasing demand for data-driven yield optimization as device complexity grows across advanced packaging, silicon photonics, and heterogeneous integration.

Enlight Technology is the authorized representative of Siemens EDA in Taiwan and provides a portfolio of electronic design automation (EDA), manufacturing execution systems (MES), and engineering solutions spanning IC, silicon photonics, MEMS, PCB, and system-level applications. The company supports semiconductor and electronics customers, including fabless design houses, foundries, OSATs, and system companies, with engagement across more than 100 semiconductor organizations and 300 system companies in the region.

As part of the partnership, the companies will work together to:

Provide localized technical engagement and support aligned with Taiwan’s semiconductor workflows and language requirements.Support improved yield learning cycles and more efficient production ramp across the region.Extend yield analytics capabilities into an ecosystem spanning design, verification, and manufacturing execution.

“We are excited to partner with Enlight Technology as we expand into Taiwan and the broader Asian market. Their deep domain expertise and strong ecosystem presence significantly enhance our ability to deliver scalable, data-driven yield solutions to customers operating at the forefront of semiconductor innovation.” — Aftkhar Aslam, CEO, yieldWerx

“As advanced packaging and silicon photonics drive exponential test data growth, our partnership with yieldWerx equips Taiwan’s ecosystem with powerful statistical analysis. We empower customers to turn complex data into actionable insights, accelerating yield learning and time-to-market” — Su Cheng Yu, General Manager, Enlight Technology

About yieldWerx
yieldWerx is a leading data and yield analytics platform for semiconductor manufacturing, advanced packaging, and photonics I/O. The platform provides end-to-end visibility across wafer probe, optical and electrical wafer acceptance, module assembly, and system-level test. By analyzing this data, yieldWerx helps organizations understand yield performance, variability, and production trends, enabling optimized quality and faster time-to-market.

About Enlight Technology Co., Ltd.
Enlight Technology Co., Ltd. is a Taiwan-based provider of electronic design automation and engineering solutions and serves as the authorized representative of Siemens EDA in Taiwan. The company delivers solutions spanning IC, silicon photonics, MEMS, PCB, DFM, and manufacturing execution systems, supporting customers from IC-level design to system-level integration. With over three decades of experience, Enlight Technology provides customized solutions and technical services to the electronics industry.

For further information, please visit https://www.yieldWerx.com or https://www.enlight-tec.com/.

Company contacts:

yieldWerx
Tina Shimizu
Chief Marketing Director
412529@email4pr.com
+1 888-929-4022

Enlight Technology Co., Ltd.
Jamie Su
Marketing Director
412529@email4pr.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/yieldwerx-and-enlight-technology-extend-design-to-test-data-continuity-across-taiwans-semiconductor-ecosystem-302748158.html

SOURCE yieldWerx

Continue Reading

Technology

Former UK SAS Sargeant Joins Delta Three Oscar to Drive Awareness of Next-Generation Military Protection

Published

on

By

BLACKSBURG, Va., April 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Delta Three Oscar, the military and ballistic protection division of D3O, today announces former UK Special Forces veteran and expedition leader Jay Morton as its first-ever brand ambassador.

 

Morton will bring his military expertise to Delta Three Oscar and will be endorsing the company’s latest impact protection and shock absorbing footwear whilst providing experience backed insights to the team as part of the company’s ongoing innovation into protective equipment.

The partnership is a strategic move for the protection brand to increase awareness and the benefits of its impact and shock absorbing personal protection systems amongst end users. Delta Three Oscar engineers the most advanced ballistic helmet liners, impact protection body armour, and shock absorbing midsoles used in helmets, uniforms, chest plates and footwear worn by U.S. military, NATO forces and law enforcement departments worldwide. The body armour is lightweight, flexible and designed to reduce fatigue by ensuring a comfortable fit with unrivalled impact protection, tough enough to be used in the harshest environments.

Morton served 14 years in the British Armed Forces, including four years in the Parachute Regiment and ten years with the Special Air Service, touring the Afghanistan and Iraq on multiple occasions. His frontline experience and expertise in high-risk environments give him huge credibility to endorse Delta Three Oscar’s next-generation protection designed for elite performance, enhanced comfort, and impact reduction.

Now as an elite expedition leader, Morton has highlighted the importance of trust, comfort, and reliability in protective gear.

“Trust in your protective equipment is absolutely essential,” he said. “When you’re operating in high-risk environments, comfort and reliability are paramount and you can’t afford distractions. Delta Three Oscar’s body and limb protectors deliver exceptional impact and ballistic performance while remaining incredibly comfortable. It’s ‘fit and forget’ protection that allows operators to focus entirely on the mission.”

Delta Three Oscar engineers advanced protection technologies including:

Ballistic body armour protection materials to mitigate back face deformationHALO® helmet suspension systems available in 3, 7 and 9 pad configurationsImpact protection flexible moulded armour for knees and elbows including tough outer shellsUnderfoot shock-absorbing protection used in midsoles

These products and materials are engineered to reduce fatigue, improve comfort, and enhance operational effectiveness in demanding environments.

“Jay brings a huge amount of credibility and real operational insight into what frontline personnel require from their protective equipment,” said Mostyn Thomas, Chief Marketing Officer at Delta Three Oscar. “His experience at the highest level of military performance makes him an ideal partner as we continue advancing protection technology and supporting those who serve, giving them a subconscious advantage by knowing they have the best protection available”

As Delta Three Oscar’s first ambassador, Morton will feature in the company’s latest brand campaign highlighting the benefits of Delta Three Oscar’s unique military protection innovation and performance.

Media Contact:
Serena Thynne
09178533121
412519@email4pr.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/former-uk-sas-sargeant-joins-delta-three-oscar-to-drive-awareness-of-next-generation-military-protection-302748124.html

SOURCE D3O

Continue Reading

Trending