On January 18, the team at Firefly carried out Blue Ghost’s first engine burn, firing up the lander’s thrusters and main engines in space for the first time. The engine burn brought the spacecraft closer to Earth in preparation for its upcoming maneuvers.

Both NASA and Firefly Aerospace say Blue Ghost remains healthy as it prepares to make for lunar orbit sometime next month.

Frank Sinatra once crooned, "Fly me to the moon. Let me play among the stars," and for two companies, including one here in Texas, SpaceX granted that wish.