Moon touchdown: US lander efficiently touches down in ‘large leap ahead for all of humanity’

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The Odysseus lander has efficiently touched down after a “nail-biting” descent noticed the primary ever privately owned craft attain the moon’s floor.

The Intuitive Machines’ lander can be the primary US lander to efficiently attain the moon in additional than 50 years – because the final of NASA’s Apollo programme in 1972.

There was applause and cheers within the Houston management room as touchdown success was confirmed after just a few tense minutes.

“I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting,” Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus stated.

“Welcome to the moon.”

People cheer in Houston, Texas, after the moon landing
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This was the scene at Intuitive Machines HQ in Houston after groups heard the spacecraft had reached the moon’s floor

Flight controllers at Intuitive Machines in Houston celebrate the landing Pic: Intuitive Machines via AP
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Flight controllers at Intuitive Machines in Houston have a good time the touchdown Pic: Intuitive Machines by way of AP

The 14-ft tall, six-footed carbon fibre and titanium lander descended from a moon-skimming orbit and guided itself to the floor, trying to find a comparatively flat spot among the many cliffs and craters to make its touchdown close to the south pole.

Back on Earth, the group needed to wait nicely previous the anticipated landing time for affirmation that there was a sign earlier than celebrating.

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New moon mission defined

Odysseus was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, final week.

The final time a US craft made an identical descent was in 1972, when Apollo 17’s Gene Cernan and Harrison Schmitt had been aboard, and the pair stay the final people to have walked on the moon.

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FILE - This photo provided by Intuitive Machine's IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander in Houston in October 2023. The company aims to launch the lander in mid-February 2024, on a SpaceX rocket.
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Intuitive Machine’s IM-1 Nova-C lunar lander. Pic: Intuitive Machine by way of AP

NASA administrator Bill Nelson referred to as the mission a “triumph” and a “giant leap forward for all of humanity”.

In a televised assertion following the profitable touchdown, he stated: “Today for the first time in more than half a century the US has returned to the moon.

“For the primary time within the historical past of humanity, an American firm launched and led the voyage up there.

“Today is a day that shows the power and promise of NASA’s commercial partnerships.

“Congratulations to everybody concerned on this nice and daring quest at Intuitive Machines, SpaceX and proper right here at NASA.

“What a triumph – Odysseus has taken the moon. This feat is a giant leap forward for all of humanity. Stay tuned.”

This image from video provided by SpaceX via NASA TV shows Intuitive Machines' lunar lander separating from the rocket's upper stage and heading toward the moon, on Feb. 15, 2024. (SpaceX -NASA TV via AP)
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Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander separating from the rocket’s higher stage and heading towards the moon. Pic: SpaceX by way of AP

NASA is the mission’s important sponsor, paying $118m (£93.5m) to place its experiments on board as a part of a programme which might ultimately see astronauts return to the moon later within the decade.

The area company has ambitions to make lunar journeys a extra common affair and, ultimately, construct a base on the moon.

Odysseus can be carrying six different payloads from industrial firms.

It has landed nearer to the moon’s south pole than another craft.

The area has many extra craters, cliffs and boulders than the equator, the place the Apollo landings had been within the 60s and 70s.

Scientists hope to search out layers of ice, or maybe Arctic-style permafrost, from which they will create hydration for astronauts – one thing which might allow them to remain for extended missions.

Intuitive Machines’ entry is the most recent in a collection of touchdown makes an attempt by international locations and personal outfits trying to discover the moon and, if potential, capitalise on it.

Japan made a touchdown final month, becoming a member of the US, Russia, China and India within the membership of nations to have visited the floor.

Content Source: news.sky.com

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