Intuitive Machines' Nova-C cargo lander, named "Odysseus", successfully landed on the moon's surface on Thursday evening. This marks the first successful American lunar landing since the Apollo era 1972 and the first ever by a private company. Intuitive Machines, based in Houston, is the first non-governmental entity to achieve a lunar landing. The lander touched down in the Malapert A crater near the moon's south pole and will operate on the surface for up to 7 days. The mission carries six payloads for NASA under a $118 million contract as part of the CLPS program.