23 February 2024 , 09:55
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A video shows the joyful moment when the team found out that their lander, called Odysseus, landed safely on the Moon.
This happened on Thursday and it's the first time the US has landed on the Moon in over 50 years. The mission had some problems talking to the lander at first, but the people flying it worked hard to fix it.
Even though the signals were not strong, the company Intuitive Machines said the lander did touch down standing up. But they didn't say exactly where it landed near the Moon's south pole.
After they got a small signal from the lander, everyone at the control center in Houston, Texas felt nervous. Then, when NASA shared a video showing everyone cheering because the landing worked and the lander was sending messages.
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The commercial US spaceship landed on the surface of the Moon and flight controllers received a signal from the vessel (NASA/AFP via Getty Images)Tim Crain, who is in charge of the mission, said: "What we can confirm, without a doubt, is our equipment is on the surface of the Moon." And Steve Altemus, who is the boss, was very happy and said: "I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface and we are transmitting. Welcome to the Moon."
Crews cheer as the Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar lander touches down on the moon (NASA/AFP via Getty Images)After a long two-hour wait, data started to flow in, marking the first time the US has explored the moon since NASA's Apollo missions. Intuitive Machines became the first private company to land on the moon, joining only five countries worldwide who have done this.
Astrobotic Technology, another US company exploring the moon, praised the achievement. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson also congratulated Intuitive Machines for their amazing work.
Odysseus passes over the near side of the Moon following lunar orbit during the IM-1 mission on February 21 (Intuitive Machines/AFP via Getty)For all the latest news, politics, sports, and showbiz from the USA, go to The Mirror US
Just before landing, the lander's laser navigation system stopped working. The flight control team had to quickly change to an experimental NASA laser system so the lander could safely land near the Moon's south pole.
The lander is six feet tall and made from carbon fiber and titanium. It carried six experiments for NASA, showing how private companies and the space agency are working together to explore the moon.
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An artist's rendering of the Odysseus spacecraft (Intuitive Machines/ZUMA Press Wire/REX/Shutterstock)The lander also carried experiments and items from private companies like Columbia Sportswear, artist Jeff Koons, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
The successful landing of Intuitive Machines has started a new chapter in exploring the moon, with the mission ready to collect important information about the Moon's surface and possible resources.