Firefly Aerospace said on Tuesday it has secured a $176.7 million NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract to deliver five NASA payloads to the Moon's South Pole in 2029, marking another step toward expanding private sector participation in U.

Firefly Aerospace received more than $176 million to deliver scientific equipment to the moon's south pole in 2029. The mission will study resources like water and hydrogen that could help future astronauts. The company will use its Blue Ghost lunar lander and orbital vehicles for the job.

Firefly Aerospace, the Cedar Park-based space and technology company that recently became the first commercial company to land on the moon, was awarded