First commercial vehicle lands on lunar surface

Watch official NASA coverage of the landing below. Shortly after 6:20 p.m. EST Thursday, Houston-based Intuitive Machines received confirmation that its Odysseus lunar lander had made contact with the surface of the moon. Mission Director Tim Crane said, “What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the moon, and we are transmitting.” Intuitive CEO Steve Altemus added, “I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting. Welcome to the moon.”

What was so special about this lunar landing? Thursday’s touchdown marks the first time the United States has landed a vehicle on the moon in more than 50 years. Given that Odysseus was built by a Houston company and launched aboard a SpaceX rocket, the touchdown marks the first time private companies have launched and led a lunar landing mission. NASA administrator Bill Nelson lauded the mission, calling it a “new adventure” in science and American leadership.

What is the status of the lander now? The condition of the spacecraft is unclear. As of Thursday evening, Intuitive Machines said the lander was transmitting on the surface, but its signal was weak. The company was working to troubleshoot the communications issue and boost the signal.