Intuitive Machines, a space exploration company, reported that it has landed a spacecraft on the lunar surface, the first time a private company has done so.

This follows the company's report on February 15th that its IM-1 mission Nova-C class lunar lander was launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

This was achieved through a NASA contract awarded under the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which focuses on the commercial development of landers to deliver scientific and research payloads to the moon’s surface.

Analyst QuickTake: This news comes following intuitive Machines delaying the launch of its first lunar lander mission, IM-1, twice. First, in November 2023, and then in January 2024 . The Nova-C lander weighs kg and will deliver five payloads for NASA's CLPS program and six commercial payloads.