US returns to lunar surface for first time in over 50 years: ‘Welcome to the moon’

Intuitive Machines' spacecraft Odysseus lands after a 73-minute descent, touching down near moon's south pole

The United States has returned to the lunar surface for the first time in more than 50 years after a privately-built spacecraft named Odysseus capped a nail-biting 73-minute descent from orbit with a touchdown near the moon's south pole.

Amid celebrations of what Nasa hailed a giant leap forward", there was no immediate confirmation of the status or condition of the lander, other than it had reached its planned landing site at crater Malapert A.