Kimberly Johnson

The long-range heavy bomber takes part in a strategic deterrence mission aimed at reinforcing the rules-based order in the Indo-Pacific region, DOD said.

Intuitive Machines’ uncrewed autonomous lunar lander touched down on the moon’s surface at 6:23 p.m. EST.

Delivery of the small unmanned aerial systems will begin in the spring.

Intuitive Machines on Thursday morning updates the expected landing time for the Nova-C lander.

The aircraft is the first of Norway’s four C-130J-30s to be retrofitted by Lockheed Martin with Block 8.1 upgrades.

The unmanned carrier-based refueling drone will now go through ‘rigorous airframe integrity evaluation,’ the company said.

The lunar lander is now closer to the moon than the end-to-end distance driving across Houston, nicknamed ‘Space City,’ according to Intuitive Machines.

The news comes as a potential timeline begins to emerge for when Ukraine might also receive its first fighter jets.

U.S. F-35s and a KC-135 Stratotanker participate in the aerial drill with NATO’s E-3A surveillance aircraft.

The IM-1 mission represents the first U.S. lunar landing in more than 50 years.