Moon landing attempt: Private US spacecraft enters orbit
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private U.S. lunar lander reached the moon and eased into a low orbit Wednesday, a day before it will attempt an even greater feat — landing on the gray, dusty surface.
A smooth touchdown would put the U.S. back in business on the moon for the first time since NASA astronauts closed out the Apollo program in 1972. The company, if successful, also would become the first private outfit to ace a moon landing.
Launched last week, Intuitive Machines’ lander fired its engine on the back side of the moon while out of contact with Earth. Flight controllers at the company’s Houston headquarters had to wait until the spacecraft emerged to learn whether the lander was in orbit or hurtling aimlessly away.
Intuitive Machines confirmed its lander, nicknamed Odysseus, was circling the moon with experiments from NASA and other clients. The lander is part of a NASA program to kickstart the lunar economy; the space agency is paying $118 million to get its experiments on the moon on this mission.
Related articles
A warrant for Netanyahu’s arrest was requested. But no decision was made about whether to issue it
CLAIM: The International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin2024-05-21Grammys 2024: Photos from the 66th annual awards
The 2024 Grammy Awards - recognising "outstanding" achievements in the music industry for the previo2024-05-21NASA's historic Mars helicopter Ingenuity grounded for good after 72 flights
By Joey Roulette and Steve Gorman, for ReutersThis NASA photo obtained 25 July 2021 shows NASA's Ing2024-05-21Australian town of Marble Bar clocks 26 consecutive days over 43 degrees Celsius
By Charlie Mills and Charlie McLeanMarble Bar in Western Australia has just recorded 26 days straigh2024-05-21Analysis: Larson enters conversation with Verstappen as best drivers in the world
INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Ask almost any hardcore motorsports fan who the best driver in the world is righ2024-05-21Te reo Māori: Govt seeks to halt extra pay for public servants fluent in the language
File photo. Public Service Minister Nicola Willis told RNZ she would ask for advice on how the gover2024-05-21
atest comment