Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company, has made history by successfully maneuvering its robotic lunar lander, Odysseus, into a circular orbit just 57 miles above the moon’s surface. The spacecraft performed a critical engine burn lasting six minutes and 48 seconds to slow down and be pulled into the moon’s gravity.

This milestone marks a significant moment in space exploration as Odysseus is now scheduled to make a soft landing on the moon on Thursday, aiming to become the first private spacecraft to achieve this feat since Apollo 17 in 1972. The landing is set for 5:30 p.m. Eastern time, although the company recently adjusted the time by 19 minutes to align with the spacecraft’s orbit.

The success of Odysseus’s landing has the potential to open up new opportunities for private entities in space exploration. This achievement could pave the way for future missions to the moon by commercial companies, expanding possibilities for further lunar research and discovery.

The landing of Odysseus is a crucial step in advancing space technology and could lead to new breakthroughs in our understanding of the moon and beyond. The team at Intuitive Machines is now eagerly awaiting the outcome of this historic mission, which has the potential to shape the future of space exploration. Stay tuned for updates on this groundbreaking event on Insider Wales Sport.