- Firefly Aerospace has acquired Space-ng to expand autonomous space capabilities
- Space-ng’s vision navigation technology supported Blue Ghost Mission 1’s lunar landing
- Explore commercial space relay, optical networks, AI and more at the 2026 Air and Space Summit
Firefly Aerospace has acquired Space-ng, an artificial intelligence-powered vision navigation and autonomous guidance company, to expand its autonomous spacecraft capabilities for future lunar, Mars and national security missions.
The acquisition comes as government and industry leaders prepare for the Potomac Officers Club’s 2026 Air and Space Summit on July 30, where discussions will focus on commercial space relay, interoperable optical networks, network modernization, AI, machine learning and other technologies shaping the future of aerospace and defense. Register now to hear leaders discuss the priorities driving the next generation of space missions.
What Is Space-ng?
Firefly said Thursday Space-ng develops AI-powered vision navigation and autonomous guidance systems for spacecraft. The Littleton, Colorado-based company was founded in 2024 as a spinoff of Farm-ng and specializes in AI, computer vision, autonomous systems and flight software.
According to Firefly, Space-ng’s vision navigation software was used during Blue Ghost Mission 1 to determine the spacecraft’s position and attitude, identify hazardous terrain and autonomously redirect the lunar lander during its descent. The company said the technology enabled Blue Ghost to safely land within the moon’s Mare Crisium.
What Other Capabilities Does Space-ng Bring to Firefly Aerospace?
Aside from vision navigation software, Space-ng brings to Firefly high-resolution spacecraft cameras and AI compute hardware designed to support onboard optical navigation, space domain awareness, rendezvous and proximity operations, and docking without relying on GPS or Global Navigation Satellite Systems.
Firefly said it plans to integrate the technology across its orbital vehicles and lunar landers to support future missions, including three additional lunar deliveries under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, the space agency’s MoonFall mission and a Defense Innovation Unit space domain awareness mission.
Following the transaction, Space-ng will be fully integrated into Firefly, which will continue offering the autonomous guidance and vision navigation capabilities to government and commercial clients under the Firefly Aerospace brand.
What Did Firefly Aerospace & Space-ng CEOs Say About the Transaction?
Jason Kim, CEO of Firefly Aerospace, said Space-ng’s vision navigation technology demonstrated its capabilities during Blue Ghost Mission 1 by enabling the spacecraft to autonomously perform hazard avoidance maneuvers before landing on the moon.
Kim added that the acquisition represents a strategic investment in Space-ng’s team and technologies to support the advancement of autonomous space operations and future lunar and space missions.
Ethan Rublee, co-founder and CEO of Space-ng, said Blue Ghost Mission 1 demonstrated the company’s approach to simulation, autonomy, perception and flight software.
“This acquisition allows us to scale Space-ng’s products and apply them across Firefly’s exciting vehicle line and mission roadmap. Together, we’ll continue building an AI-first software foundation for the next era of space exploration and help execute some of the hardest missions in space,” Rublee added.
Firefly announced that Rublee will join the company as chief engineer of software to oversee its suite of spacecraft software offerings.
