U.S. Company Lands Private Spacecraft on Surface of the Moon
Ask students: How long has it been since a U.S. spacecraft landed on the moon? What are some challenges in attempting to land a unmanned spacecraft on the moon?
It's the first U.S.-built spacecraft to land on the moon in more than 50 years, and the first ever by a private company. The Odysseus lander took off from Cape Canaveral and made it to the lunar surface a week later. The Houston-based company Intuitive Machines created the spacecraft and the trip is key to NASA's goal of returning to the moon with a manned mission.
View the transcript of the story.
Discussion Questions
- How long has it been since a U.S. spacecraft landed on the moon?
- Where is Intuitive Machines based?
- Why did Intuitive Machines send a spacecraft to the moon?
- What are some challenges in attempting to land a unmanned spacecraft on the moon?
- What are NASA's goals with this mission, according to Miles O'Brien?
Focus Questions
After watching this story, why do you think NASA has decided to support private companies to help achieve its goals rather than completely control each mission to space?
Media literacy: How could you find out more about NASA's private partners and how they are chosen?
Republished with permission from PBS NewsHour Classroom.
PBS NewsHour Classroom helps teachers and students identify the who, what, where and why-it-matters of the major national and international news stories. The site combines the best of NewsHour's reliable, trustworthy news program with lesson plans developed specifically for... See More
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