America’s Successful Moon Landing Since 1972

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Another Successful Moon Landing

Intuitive Machines, a commercial space company, has achieved a remarkable feat by landing its Odysseus lunar lander on the moon. This momentous event marks America’s return to the lunar surface after nearly five decades, following the conclusion of the Apollo program in 1972.

The Odysseus spacecraft, designed to explore the moon’s south pole, successfully transmitted a faint signal upon touchdown, indicating a safe landing. This mission is especially significant for NASA, the primary customer for the project, as it carries several science instruments and technology demonstrations focusing on lunar surface interactions, precision landing technologies, and autonomous navigation.

NEWS: The 1st moon landing in over 50 years by the US succeeds as @Int_Machines, a commercial company in the Houston area, successfully and softly touched down their lunar lander this evening.

The USA last landed on the moon in 1972 with Apollo-17! My old friend… pic.twitter.com/wH6OeGuF1q

— Brooks Garner (@BrooksWeather) February 23, 2024

Intuitive Machines CEO Stephen Altemus expressed his excitement during a webcast of the landing, stating, “Welcome to the moon,” signifying the historic achievement.

While the exact location and condition of the spacecraft post-landing are currently unknown, this accomplishment paves the way for further lunar exploration and commercial space missions. NASA also aims to send astronauts around the moon next year and potentially land humans on the lunar surface in 2026.

It’s essential to acknowledge that these timelines may experience delays due to the intricate nature of the work and the need for thorough testing and preparation.

Larry Weisman February 23, 2024