For the first time in more than five decades, Americans have returned to the moon.
Well, American robots, at least.
A week after launching aboard a SpaceX rocket, the uncrewed Odysseus spacecraft gently touched down on the surface of the moon Thursday, ushering in a historic moon landing.
The lander – designed and operated by Houston-based Intuitive Machines – is now the first commercial spacecraft to ever land on the moon. The lunar landing is also the first by an American-built spacecraft since NASA's final Apollo mission in 1972.
"Houston, Odysseus has found its new home," Stephen Altemus, president and CEO of Intuitive Machines, said shortly after the landing at 5:23 p.m. CST.
The announcement of the landing came about 10 minutes after it happened following some communications challenges. Tension built as the team behind the IM-1 mission waited for confirmation with bated breath.
"I know this was a nail-biter but we are on the surface and we are transmitting," Altemus said. "Welcome to the moon."
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