Texan company Intuitive Machines (IM) is on the verge of attempting to make history by becoming the first-ever commercial venture to achieve a soft landing on the Moon. Partnered with NASA, IM's 675kg Odysseus lander is scheduled for a touchdown at around 23:24 GMT, with a targeted landing site near a 5km-high mountain complex known as Malapert.

This mission marks a significant advancement in the space exploration field, as IM joins the US space agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, facilitating more frequent missions to the Moon. The lunar landing will include scientific instruments from both NASA and commercial customers, ranging from technology demonstrations to lunar dust investigations.

Among the payload is an artist's representation of the Moon's phases, a student camera system for capturing images during the landing, and a telescope for astronomical research. The mission is vital for gathering data to support future human exploration of the Moon.

Intuitive Machines' expedition follows recent lunar landing attempts by other private entities, showcasing the growing interest and capability within the commercial space sector. If successful, the IM-1 mission will mark a significant achievement not only for the company but also for the future of lunar exploration.