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Two private lunar landers head toward the moon in a roundabout journey


Published on 2025-01-15 01:22:18 - MSN
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  • In a two-for-one moonshot, SpaceX launched a pair of lunar landers Wednesday for U.S. and Japanese companies looking to jumpstart business on Earth's dusty sidekick.

Two private lunar landers, launched by Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic Technology, are currently en route to the Moon, marking a significant step in commercial space exploration. These missions, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, aim to deliver scientific and technological payloads to the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, named Odysseus, embarked on its journey aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, while Astrobotic's Peregrine lander was launched earlier. Both missions are taking a roundabout path to the Moon, involving multiple trajectory adjustments to conserve fuel and ensure a precise landing. This approach not only demonstrates innovative navigation techniques but also underscores the growing role of private companies in space exploration, aiming to pave the way for future human missions under NASA's Artemis program.

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