In a historic achievement, the Intuitive Machines' Odysseus makes a successful US moon landing Thursday, marking the first such landing by a U.S. entity since the conclusion of the Apollo missions in 1972, per The Washington Post.

The spacecraft, named Odysseus and developed by Houston-based Intuitive Machines, reached the lunar south pole, contributing to NASA's ambitious plan of sending astronauts back to Earth's celestial neighbor.

The moments after the landing were filled with tension as ground controllers anxiously awaited confirmation of the spacecraft's status.

Despite initial uncertainties, Intuitive Machines declared the successful US moon landing, bringing relief and excitement to the team.

Tim Crain, Intuitive Machines' Chief Technology Officer, confirmed that the equipment was on the lunar surface and transmitting signals, marking a significant milestone for the burgeoning commercial space industry.

Odysseus Breaks Ground and Overcomes Challenges

Odysseus' touchdown near the moon's south pole holds historical significance as the first lunar landing by a US entity in almost half a century, according to Forbes.

Other nations, including China in 2019 and Japan earlier this year, have achieved lunar landings more recently.

This triumph also breaks a streak of failed attempts by US companies, exemplified by the malfunction of Astrobotic Technology's Peregrine lander last month.

NASA Administrator Bill Nelson celebrated Odysseus' successful US moon landing, emphasizing its importance as a "giant leap forward for all of humanity."

The spacecraft, roughly the size of a phone booth, was launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and is designed to spend a week collecting data on the moon's surface.

However, Odysseus faced challenges during its lunar orbit, including a communications breakdown and an issue with its laser instruments, causing a two-hour delay in the landing.

Despite these glitches, the spacecraft aims to contribute valuable data before losing power.

NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services Program and Future Plans

NASA allocated $118 million to Intuitive Machines for the lunar landing as part of the agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, NASA reports.

This initiative encourages private companies to develop lunar landers, fostering collaboration between NASA and the commercial space sector.

The CLPS program envisions continued partnerships with private entities to transport scientific instruments and cargo to the moon.

NASA's broader Artemis mission aims to bring astronauts back to the moon and establish a "long-term presence" as a crucial step toward potential Mars missions.

While facing technical setbacks, including mission delays, NASA remains committed to advancing space exploration and enhancing scientists' understanding of the cosmos.

NASA provided live coverage of Odysseus' landing on various platforms, including NASA+, NASA Television, the NASA app, and the agency's website.

The coverage included live streaming and blog updates, emphasizing transparency and engagement with the public.

Intuitive Machines and NASA hosted a news conference to discuss the mission and future science opportunities.

The collaboration between NASA and private companies, such as Intuitive Machines, underscores the evolving landscape of space exploration.

The CLPS initiative, through indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts, reflects a commitment to exploring the moon and preparing for future crewed missions to Mars.

The successful US moon landing of Odysseus marks a pivotal moment in advancing humanity's reach into the cosmos.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Bert Hoover

WATCH: Watch Intuitive Machines attempt first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years - From CNBC Television