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

Two private lunar landers, launched by Intuitive Machines and Astrobotic Technology, are currently en route to the Moon, marking significant steps in commercial space exploration. Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, named Odysseus, embarked on its journey aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aiming to be the first private spacecraft to achieve a soft lunar landing. Meanwhile, Astrobotic's Peregrine lander, although initially facing propulsion issues, is also on a trajectory towards the Moon after a launch delay. Both missions are part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which seeks to foster a lunar economy by contracting private companies to deliver scientific and technological payloads to the Moon. These missions not only represent technological advancements but also symbolize the growing role of private enterprises in space exploration, with the potential to pave the way for future human missions and lunar resource utilization.

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[ https://www.msn.com/en-us/technology/space-exploration/2-private-lunar-landers-head-toward-the-moon-in-a-roundabout-journey/ar-AA1xe3Me ]