Correction, NASA launched a mission contracted to Intuitive Machines, who used SpaceX as the delivery vehicle.

Saying “SpaceX launched a mission” in this case is like saying “AT&T made a phone call” in reference to someone calling their friend.

The wording is important, because it furthers the notion that a private company is out there doing exploration research by themselves, but it’s really an ecosystem stemming from taxpayer funding and public sector direction.