Feds approve moon landing for private spacecraft

WASHINGTON (KTRK) -- The FAA has given approval for a private company to land a vehicle on the moon's surface.

Moon Express applied for permission to fly their MX-1E spacecraft to the moon on April 8, and received the okay from the Federal Aviation Administration on July 20.

1 of 39

Eddie Fisher and Debbie Reynolds with their young daughter, Carrie Frances Fisher, in Hollywood, Jan. 2, 1957.

AP Photo

The approval of their application, however, is not a blanket approval for any mission by any other company, the FAA says.

Officials say Moon Express was authorized to fly to the moon because it does not "jeopardize public health and safety," or the safety of public property.

REMEMBER: Neil Armstrong becomes first man to walk on the moon

The Apollo 11 crew successfully landed on the moon on July 20, 1969.

1 of 50

The Super Bowl from space

@StationCDRKelly/NASA

The applicants say their MX-1E spacecraft is capable of transferring riders from Earth's orbit to the moon.

The FAA says it will continue to work with the commercial space industry to approve missions on a case-by-case basis.

REMEMBER: Apollo 11 - 'One giant leap for mankind'

Forty-seven years ago, all eyes were glued to the black and white images of man's first steps on the moon. In Houston especially, this day is remembered with great reverence.

PHOTOS: Orion spacecraft confuses Houston commuters

SEE ALSO: NASA camera catches moon photobombing Earth

Moon photo bombed the Earth