CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — Landing a spacecraft on the moon has long been a series of hits and misses.
Now, a U.S. company has become the first private outfit to achieve a safe moon landing. Only five countries have done it.
A lander built by Intuitive Machines through a NASA-sponsored program touched down on the moon Thursday. It ended up tipped over on its side but was working with limited communications, company officials said Friday.
The achievement puts the U.S. back on the moon for the first time since NASA astronauts closed out the Apollo program in 1972.
The moon is littered with wreckage from failed landings over the years. Another U.S. company — Astrobotic Technology — tried to send a lander to the moon last month, but had to give up because of a fuel leak. The crippled lander came crashing back through the atmosphere, burning up over the Pacific.
Dodgers acquire pitcher Yohan Ramírez from Mets for cash
Xi Extends Condolences to Brazilian President over Deadly Heavy Rains, Floods
China launches new sea routes to South America as trade booms
Supreme Court rejects an appeal from a Canadian man once held at Guantanamo
China's car production, sales hit a record high
Xi Stresses Building General Offices of Party Committees, Governments into Model Organs
Over 600 enterprises sign up for 7th CIIE
Children are evacuated from school 'during an exam' after threat made via email
Big Chinese companies brighten 2024 CES