NASA-backed lunar lander, launched by SpaceX, aims for moon landing on February 22, 2024.”

On Thursday, February 15, 2024, Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander, Odysseus, launched successfully from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center aboard a SpaceX Falcon rocket. The mission marks another attempt by a private US company to reach the moon, a month after a rival company’s lunar lander failed and crashed back to Earth.

NASA, the primary sponsor of the mission, has several experiments onboard and is keen for a successful landing to advance the lunar economy in anticipation of crewed missions to the moon. The lander, resembling a six-pointed star with each point as a leg, separated smoothly from the rocket’s upper stage and began its journey to the moon, 230,000 miles (370,000 km) away.

Assuming all goes according to plan, the lander will enter lunar orbit and attempt a touchdown on February 22, 2024, marking a significant milestone in private space exploration.