NASA schedules two lunar landings within one week

NASA is set for two lunar landings within a week, marking a significant step in its partnership with private companies. The first mission, Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost, will land on March 2, targeting Mons Latreille with various scientific instruments. Following this, Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission will land on March 6 at Mons Mouton. This mission features improvements to its lander, Athena, and includes a unique hopping drone designed to explore underground lunar passages. These missions are part of NASA's $2.6 billion program to make private lunar landings routine, following the first successful private landing in February 2024.