🔆The article reports on the successful launch of two lunar landers, one from the U.S. and one from Japan, on a single SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Key Points: ✅Private Sector Innovation: This "rideshare" mission demonstrates the growing role of private companies in space exploration. ✅Artemis Program: The U.S. aims to establish a sustained human presence on the moon under the Artemis program, leveraging commercial partners to reduce costs. ✅Technological Advancements: Both landers carry scientific instruments to study the lunar environment, including its surface, atmosphere, and internal structure. ✅Challenges of Lunar Landing: Soft landings on the moon remain a challenging feat, requiring precise navigation and controlled descent. ✅Global Collaboration: The mission showcases international cooperation in space exploration, with companies from different countries collaborating on lunar missions. ✅Possible UPSC Prelims Question: What is the name of the U.S. lunar lander launched on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket? A. Blue Ghost B. Resilience C. Tenacious D. Intuitive Machines ✅Possible UPSC Mains Question: Discuss the changing landscape of space exploration with the increasing role of private companies. Analyze the implications of this trend for international cooperation, technological innovation, and the future of human space exploration. #science_and_technology #science_technology