SpaceX Lands First Private Lander on the Moon
First Commercial Landing on the Horizon
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying a robotic lander built by Intuitive Machines, embarked on a historic journey to the Moon. If successful, the mission, scheduled to land on February 22nd, would mark the first soft lunar landing for the United States since the Apollo missions and the first ever by a commercial vehicle.
NASA's Artemis Partnership and Embrace of Risk
This endeavour is part of NASA's Artemis programme, aiming to return astronauts to the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines received a $118 million contract to deliver NASA payloads and contribute to the overall Artemis effort. While acknowledging potential failure, NASA views these missions as valuable learning opportunities, even from unsuccessful attempts. This approach, described by NASA officials as "taking shots on goal," emphasises the importance of experimentation and exploration in pushing the boundaries of space travel.
Building Momentum: Two Missions per Year?
NASA's vision includes establishing a regular cadence of lunar missions, targeting at least two robotic landings per year through its Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program. This ambitious goal showcases the agency's commitment to utilising private sector capabilities in achieving its lunar ambitions.
Liftoff and Destination: 370,000 Km Away
The launch took place early Thursday morning at 1:00 AM EST from NASA's Kennedy Space Centre in Florida. The Falcon 9 rocket carried the Intuitive Machines lander towards its lunar destination, 370,000 kilometres (230,000 miles) away.
A Student-Built Camera for a Unique Perspective
The spacecraft also carries a unique payload: a camera system designed by students and faculty from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. This camera, deployed near the lunar surface, will capture images of the landing sequence, providing valuable data and a student-led perspective on the mission.
Anticipation and Potential Touchdown
Assuming a successful journey, the lander is expected to attempt a touchdown on February 22nd after spending a day in lunar orbit. This mission represents a significant step forward in private space exploration and collaboration, with the potential to pave the way for future lunar missions and pave the path for Artemis' ultimate goal: returning humans to the Moon.
