"Private Lunar Landers Set Sights on Moon in New Space Race"
The private Odysseus moon lander, built by Intuitive Machines, successfully launched atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and is on its way to the moon. The lander, carrying 12 payloads including six NASA instruments, is set to attempt a historic soft landing on the lunar surface on Feb. 22. If successful, it will mark the first private spacecraft to land on the moon and the United States' return to the lunar surface in 52 years. The mission aims to gather crucial data for future crewed missions and the establishment of a base in the lunar south pole region.