Firefly Aerospace’s successful touchdown marks a new era of frequent commercial trips to the Moon, paving the way for a long-term human presence on the lunar surface. Before we get too ahead of ourselves, however, we’ve got the ongoing mission to attend to.

The landing precedes by just four days the planned arrival of a second uncrewed American spacecraft built and operated by Intuitive Machines. The space exploration company, also based in Texas, etched its name in the history books a year ago when its spacecraft,

Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost moon lander tightened its lunar orbit on Sunday before its inaugural attempt at an uncrewed touchdown, nearing a pivotal moment for one of a handful of private firms on the frontlines of a global moon race.