CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - In an effort to revive the U.S.'s moon-landing ambitions, two private companies are working on missions to the moon, more than five decades after the conclusion of the Apollo program. Supported by NASA, these initiatives aim to kick-start commercial moon deliveries while the space agency focuses on sending astronauts back to Earth's natural satellite.

The first company to take on this challenge is Astrobotic Technology based in Pittsburgh. They have planned the launch of their lander, named Peregrine, on Monday, aboard United Launch Alliance's Vulcan rocket. Following shortly after, Houston's Intuitive Machines intends to launch its own lander with SpaceX in mid-February.

In two weeks, Japan will also make an attempt at landing on the moon, as its Space Agency plans to send a lander accompanied by two toy-size rovers. Japan's lander had an advantage with a September launch, sharing it with an X-ray telescope.

If successful, Japan will become the fifth country to successfully land on the moon, following the footsteps of Russia and the United States during the 1960s and 70s. China has accomplished this feat three times in the past decade, even landing on the moon's far side. Last summer, India joined the list of successful moon landings. However, only the U.S. has sent astronauts to the moon.

Landing on the moon is a complex task due to the lack of atmosphere and the inability to use parachutes. The landers must rely on thrusters and navigate treacherous terrain to ensure a safe descent.

This renewed interest in lunar exploration comes after a series of failed attempts by various nations. A Japanese company's lander crashed into the moon in April, followed by a Russian crash landing in August. India succeeded in landing near the moon's south polar region a few days later, on its second attempt after a crash in 2019. An Israeli nonprofit also experienced a crash landing in 2019.

Since Apollo 17's mission in December 1972, the U.S. has not attempted another moon landing. NASA shifted its focus to Mars, leaving the moon behind. Although there were a few lunar satellites subsequently launched, controlled landings were abandoned until now.

Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines are not only seeking to end America's moon-landing drought but also to be the first private entities to achieve this milestone. Both companies were awarded nearly $80 million each by NASA in 2019 under a program to develop lunar delivery services.

Astrobotic's Peregrine lander aims to carry 20 research packages, including five for NASA and a shoebox-sized rover for Carnegie Mellon University. The targeted landing site is Sinus Viscositatis, also known as the Bay of Stickiness, located in the moon's mid-latitudes.

Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander, on the other hand, will carry five experiments for NASA and is set to touch down in the moon's south polar region. Scientists believe this region holds vast amounts of frozen water, which could be used for drinking and making rocket fuel.

Despite starting later, Intuitive Machines has a more direct trajectory, which may allow them to land within a week of liftoff. Meanwhile, Astrobotic will take two weeks to reach the moon and another month in lunar orbit before attempting a landing on February 23.

It remains to be seen which company will achieve this feat first, as rocket delays may impact the schedule. However, both Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines are determined to make history and contribute to the ongoing exploration of our celestial neighbor.

The future of lunar exploration looks promising, as NASA has already planned the Artemis program, aiming to land astronauts near the moon's south pole. Scientists believe the perpetually shadowed craters in this region hold significant amounts of water. Several missions, including the delivery of NASA's water-seeking Viper rover and an ice drill, are scheduled to take place in the coming years.

As the space race intensifies, Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines are working tirelessly to pave the way for future moon missions, putting the United States back in the moon-landing business.