America has reestablished a lunar landing for the first time in over fifty years. The historic moon arrival was initiated on Thursday when the unmanned Odysseus spacecraft made a soft touchdown on the lunar surface, one week after its launch aboard a SpaceX rocket.
Odysseus Lunar Lander Successfully Touches Down on Moon
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifts off from launch pad LC-39A at the Kennedy Space Center with the Intuitive Machines' Nova-C moon lander mission, in Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 15, 2024. The IM-1 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to understand more about the Moon's surface ahead of the coming Artemis missions. Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander would be the first US spacecraft to land on the moon in over 50 years. It is expected to land near the south pole of the moon on February 22.
NASA reports that Odyssey successfully landed on the moon. NASA reaffirmed, "...our equipment is on the surface of the moon, and we are transmitting." Odysseus, an unmanned spacecraft formally designated the Nova-C spacecraft, touched down on the moon at 6:24 p.m. (ET).
"What a triumph!" a message greeted the landing from NASA administrator Bill Nelson.
Nelson said today marked a momentous occurrence in human history as an American commercial enterprise spearheaded and initiated the expedition to that location. Moreover, today demonstrates the potential and strength of NASA's commercial partnerships.
"Without a doubt is our equipment is on the surface of the Moon, and we are transmitting," said Intuitive Machines' chief technology officer and mission director Tim Crain. "Congratulations, IM team, we'll see how much more we can get from that."
As the spacecraft is now on the lunar surface and communicating with Earth, Crain, raised doubts about the spacecraft's capacity to accomplish its goals. According to Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus, during the webcast, the Odysseus lunar lander, also known as "Odie" or IM-1, is now on the moon's surface and communicating.
"I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting," Altemus concluded. "Welcome to the moon."
Altemus estimated that there was an 80% chance that Odysseus would reach the moon, and he attributed this confidence to the lessons he had learnt from his previous mistakes. "We've built upon the foundation laid by all those who've attempted this before," said Altemus.
Meanwhile, applause filled the Houston control room after the successful landing was confirmed following a nerve-wracking few minutes. The team needed to ensure there was a signal before they could start celebrating. NASA is the primary sponsor of the mission, contributing $118m to include its experiments on board. This program may lead to astronauts returning to the moon later in the decade.
Odysseus is transporting six additional payloads from commercial companies. This craft has landed closer to the moon's south pole than any other.
This area is filled with numerous craters, cliffs, and boulders, unlike the equator where the Apollo missions took place in the 1960s and 1970s.
Scientists are looking to discover layers of ice or Arctic-style permafrost to create hydration for astronauts, allowing them to stay on prolonged missions.
Related Article: NOVA-C Lander 'Odysseus' Reaches Lunar Orbit, Prepares for Moon Landing
