Three Moon Surface Images Released | Intuitive Machines Odysseus Lunar Lander

Three Moon Surface Images Released | Intuitive Machines Odysseus Lunar Lander

"Taken on February 27th, flight controllers commanded Odysseus to capture a new image using its narrow-field-of-view camera. Previous attempts to send photos from landing and the days following returned unusable imagery. After successfully transmitting the image to Earth, flight controllers received additional insight into Odysseus' position on the lunar surface."

"This image illustrates Odysseus' landing strut performing its primary task, absorbing first contact with the lunar surface to preserve mission integrity."

"The IM-1 Mission successfully landed the first spacecraft on the Moon's south pole region, marking the United States' first return since Apollo 17 and the first commercial lunar lander to transmit valuable science data of each NASA payload from the lunar surface . . ."

On February 28, 2024, Intuitive Machines provided an update on the status of the Odysseus Lunar Lander located near the Malapert A crater in the Moon’s South Pole region. They released three new images of the moon's surface from the landing area.

On February 22, 2024, the IM-1 Mission Nova-C Moon Lander, named "Odysseus," became the first American spacecraft to land on the Moon’s surface since the NASA Apollo 17 moon landing in 1972.

Follow IM-1 Mission Updates: 

https://www.intuitivemachines.com/im-1

NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative allows NASA to send science investigations and technology demonstrations to the lunar surface. Under Artemis, NASA will study more of the Moon than ever before, and CLPS will demonstrate how NASA is working with commercial companies to achieve robotic lunar exploration.

Learn more about CLPS:

https://www.nasa.gov/content/commercial-lunar-payload-services

Image Credit: Intuitive Machines

Image Dates: Feb. 22-28, 2024

Release Date: Feb. 28, 2024

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