US space company upbeat on next Moon mission despite lander's demise

The head of the American space company whose lunar lander failed this week in its mission to reach the Moon expressed optimism Friday that the next attempt would achieve its goal.

“I am more confident than ever now that our next mission will be successful and land on the surface of the Moon,” Astrobotic CEO John Thornton told a news conference, highlighting challenges his team had overcome in the “unexpected but very exciting mission.”