After China and India have made Moon landing history, while Russia, Japan, and Israel faced setbacks. Now, two private American companies are on a mission to reignite the US presence on the moon, more than five decades after the Apollo program concluded.
As part of a NASA-supported initiative to kick-start commercial moon deliveries, these companies are racing to land on the moon ahead of any government-led efforts. Pittsburgh’s Astrobotic Technology is set for liftoff on a new rocket, United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan, with Houston’s Intuitive Machines planning a mid-February launch via SpaceX.
Japan also enters the race, attempting a landing in two weeks, aiming to become the fifth country to achieve this feat. Successful landings are notoriously challenging due to the lack of atmosphere and the need to navigate treacherous lunar terrain.
The US has not attempted a moon landing since the Apollo 17 mission in December 1972. Now, Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines, both recipients of NASA funding, are not only looking to end America’s moon-landing hiatus but also vying for the title of the first private entity to achieve a gentle lunar landing.
Despite its later start, Intuitive Machines has a more direct shot and aims to land within a week of liftoff. Astrobotic faces a longer journey, taking two weeks to reach the moon and an additional month in lunar orbit before attempting a landing on Feb. 23.
The space race between these companies is not just about bragging rights; it reflects geopolitics and the global shift in space exploration. Both companies received nearly $80 million in 2019 under a NASA program to develop lunar delivery services.
Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander will carry 20 research packages for seven countries, including NASA, while Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C will carry five experiments for NASA to the moon’s south polar region.
The south pole is of particular interest to scientists due to its permanently shadowed craters holding potentially valuable resources such as frozen water. NASA’s Artemis program aims to land astronauts in the south pole region, with Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines playing key roles in future missions.
Despite the challenges, both companies are optimistic about their lunar ambitions and are carrying unique payloads. Astrobotic’s lander includes items commemorating Pittsburgh, while Intuitive Machines is delivering an ice drill for NASA.
This renewed focus on lunar exploration marks an exciting chapter in space exploration, as private companies join the effort to propel humanity back to the moon.
