Private lunar lander returns U.S. to the moon 50 years later. Here's what to know

The IM-1 Nova-C lander, from Houston-based Intuitive Machines, just became the first private spacecraft to land on the moon in one piece. (Intuitive Machines)

The U.S. just landed a commercial mission on the surface of the moon, nailing its first lunar landing in more than 50 years.

The robotic probe known as Odysseus successfully touched down near the lunar south pole at 6:23 p.m. ET on Thursday.