In a significant achievement, a privately-built spacecraft named Odysseus has successfully landed on the lunar surface, marking the United States’ return after more than 50 years. The spacecraft, developed by Texas-based company Intuitive Machines, executed a “soft landing” near the moon’s south pole after a 73-minute descent from orbit. Although there was no immediate confirmation of the lander’s status, Intuitive Machines later reported that Odysseus was “upright and starting to send data.”
This successful lunar landing opens a new era of exploration and comes as part of NASA’s efforts toward a scheduled late-2026 mission to send humans back to the moon. The last time a U.S.-built spacecraft touched down on the lunar surface was during NASA’s Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. Odysseus’s accomplishment follows the recent failure of Peregrine One, another lunar mission collaboration between NASA and a private company.
Intuitive Machines’ founder, Steve Altemus, expressed excitement, stating, “Welcome to the moon,” and emphasized the historic significance of the achievement. The mission, part of NASA’s commercial lunar payload services initiative, aims to gather data about the lunar environment, specifically focusing on a rocky region chosen for NASA’s upcoming Artemis III crewed mission.
Despite facing challenges and uncertainties, the successful landing of Odysseus represents a major advancement in lunar exploration. NASA Administrator Bill Nelson hailed the achievement as a “giant leap forward for all of humanity,” emphasizing the collaborative efforts of a commercial American company leading the lunar voyage. The mission’s success is seen as crucial for future lunar exploration and potential human missions to Mars.
