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https://www.houstonchronicle.com/new...g-18679808.php

Intuitive Machines' Houston-made spacecraft will try to land on the moon today

By Andrea Leinfelder,
Staff writer
Feb 22, 2024

This afternoon, a lander built by Houston's Intuitive Machines could become the first U.S. spacecraft to gently touch down on the moon since the Apollo program more than 50 years ago.

The company, which is also vying to be the first private outfit to complete a soft lunar landing, will attempt the maneuver at 4:30 p.m.

“Everyone just wants to see the United States return to the moon,” Intuitive Machines’ CEO Steve Altemus previously told the Houston Chronicle. “There has been a tremendous outpouring from everyone in the Houston, Texas area — and around the country — pulling for Intuitive Machines to be successful.”

The company's uncrewed lander, named Odysseus, launched Feb. 15 from NASA's Kennedy Space Center atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Intuitive Machines' employees have been monitoring Odysseus around the clock, working eight-hour shifts.

The lander experienced a navigation issue shortly after liftoff but a software patch solved the problem. Odysseus has since continued its journey to the moon (capturing fantastic images of the Earth and the moon along the way) and began circling the celestial body on Wednesday.

This mission, IM-1, has garnered worldwide headlines and even a shout-out on the Las Vegas Sphere from Columbia Sportswear, which placed its heat insulation technology on the lander.

Thursday's landing will have live video commentary aired on NASA and Intuitive Machines' social media platforms and websites.