By Vivek Dubey

CNBC-TV18.com

Published Feb 23, 2024

US returns to moon: Private lander makes historic touchdown

Historic Touchdown

A private lander made the first US moon landing in over 50 years, despite weak initial signal.

Upright Landing

Intuitive Machines confirmed the craft landed upright, but provided no further details.

Apollo’s Successor

This landing marks the first US return to the lunar surface since NASA’s Apollo missions.

Private Achievement

Intuitive Machines is the first private business to achieve a lunar landing.

Astrobotic’s Attempt

Astrobotic Technology, another US company, attempted but failed to reach the moon.

Early Praise

Astrobotic was among the first to congratulate Intuitive Machines on their achievement.

NASA’s Message

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson commended Intuitive Machines for acing the landing.

Navigation Hurdles

The lander’s laser navigation system failed, causing stress before touchdown.

Odysseus Descends

The lander, named Odysseus, descended from a moon-skimming orbit towards the surface.

Anxious Wait

Controllers anxiously awaited a signal from the spacecraft, which came after 15 minutes.

NASA’s Experiments

The lander carried six experiments for NASA, part of a $118 million project.

Global Attempts

Intuitive Machines’ landing follows attempts by other countries and private outfits.

Apollo’s Legacy

The US left the lunar landscape in 1972 after NASA’s Apollo program.

Target Site

The landing site was 186 miles shy of the south pole, surrounded by potential water sources

Lunar Payload

The lander carried items from Columbia Sportswear, sculptor Jeff Koons, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.