Live updates as US spacecraft land on the moon for the first time since Apollo

Spacecraft encountered problems after launch

Odie launched on February 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center.

Intuitive Machines employees monitor Odysseus all the time and work eight-hour shifts.

Shortly after takeoff the lander arrived navigation errorbut this was resolved by a software update.

Since then, Odie has continued his mission to reach the moon, taking photos of both Earth and the moon along the way.

On Wednesday, the spacecraft began orbiting the moon.

Putting distance into perspective

The distance to the moon from Earth can change depending on where it is in Earth's orbit.

The moon is round 252,088 miles (405,696 km) away from Earth at its farthest point, which astronomers called the “apogee.”

The moon is about 225,623 miles (363,104 km) from Earth when it is at its closest point, which is called the “preigee.”

Possibly the first vehicle on the moon in 50 years

Should the mission succeed, it would be the first American vehicle on the moon in more than half a century; If that were not the case, Odie would be the third lunar lander to die on the moon in less than a year.

In the 21st century, only China, India and Japan sent robotic vehicles to land on the moon.

The private company's website will begin live coverage of the historic event at approximately 4:00 PM ET.