NASA achieves historic lunar landing and SpaceX advances rocket technology in 2024 space missions recap

In 2024, significant advancements in space missions were achieved. NASA's uncrewed lander, Odysseus, successfully returned to the moon, marking the first American lunar landing since 1972 and the first by a commercial company. This mission will support future astronaut missions under NASA's Artemis program. Boeing's Starliner faced challenges during its first crewed flight test, forcing astronauts to remain at the International Space Station. SpaceX continues to lead in crew transport, with successful missions and improvements to its Super Heavy rocket, which autonomously landed after a test flight. NASA's Europa Clipper launched on a mission to explore Jupiter's moon Europa, aiming to map its surface and investigate conditions that may support life. This mission follows years of planning and is part of ongoing efforts to explore the solar system.