Private US Moon Lander Close to Making History with Moon Landing.

A private U.S. lunar lander called Odysseus has entered the moon's orbit, aiming to land on its surface soon. If successful, it would be a significant milestone for the U.S., marking its return to the moon since 1972, and a big win for the private company behind it.

Odysseus was launched by Intuitive Machines and carries experiments for NASA and others. The mission, costing NASA $118 million, seeks to ignite a lunar economy and study the moon further.

The planned landing near the moon's south pole is tricky due to the terrain but important because of potential water ice in the shadowed craters. Previous attempts by other companies to land on the moon have failed, highlighting the mission's challenges.

Historically, the Soviet Union and the U.S. achieved successful moon landings, with the U.S. being the only nation to have sent humans there. China, India, and Japan are among the countries that have managed successful robotic missions to the moon in recent years.

Failures have not deterred nations and private companies from attempting to explore the moon, with some crashes and some successes. These efforts underscore the continued interest and competition in lunar exploration, with various countries and companies aiming for achievements on the moon.