The American company Intuitive Machines announced this Friday good news about his lunar probe after the moon landing, the first from a private company and from a US spacecraft in more than 50 years.
The Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus probe landed on the Moon at 11:23 p.m. GMT on Thursdaydespite setbacks, such as a failure in its navigation system and complicated communication just after the moon landing.
The company Intuitive Machines and the spaceship
The company, founded in 2013 and based in Houston (Texas), is now trying to rrecover the first images taken from the lunar surface and scientific data. The spacecraft carries NASA scientific instrumentsinterested in exploring the south pole of the Moon before sending its astronauts there as part of its Artemis missions.
Intuitive Machines confirmed Friday morning on the X social network that the aircraft’s solar panels, essential for its power supply, are working properly. But keep collecting More information about the position and orientation of the lunar lander. On Thursday night he claimed he landed “upright.”
A press conference is scheduled for this Friday.
The equipment to take photos on the Moon
In addition to the images taken by Odysseus, The images captured by a small ship equipped with a camera and developed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, which had to be ejected from the lunar landing module at the last moment, are eagerly awaited.
A university spokesperson told reporters on Friday AFP that andThe device was transmitting databut it is unknown when they will be released. Intuitive Machines received congratulations from around the worldeven from rival companies that also attempted a moon landing in vain, such as the Japanese ispace, which crashed on the Moon last year, and the American Astrobotic, which failed in January.
The moon landing
The moon landing was also a great success for NASAthat signed a $118 million contract with Intuitive Machines to transport six scientific instruments on this mission, named IM-1. One of them probably saved the trip. The lander’s navigation system didn’t work as planned, so the company had to improvise.
During an extra loop around the Moon just before descent, a NASA laser system was programmed at the last minute to guide the lunar landing module. It was planned that This system will be tested during the mission to improve the accuracy of future landings.but it was used as the primary navigation system.
It is planned that Odysseus runs for about seven days, before night falls over the lunar south pole.
NASA’s new program
It is the first mission of Intuitive Machines, but the second of the new NASA program with private companies known as CLPS. The first, with Astrobotic, failed last month. Instead of sending scientific instruments to the Moon with its vehicles, NASA outsources the service.
This strategy should allow you to perform travel more frequently and at a lower cost, in addition to promoting the development of a lunar economy. The Intuitive Machines shares rose about 22% on the New York Stock Exchange on Friday morning.
Four more lunar missions Americans are planned officially for this year as part of the CLPS program, including another two with Intuitive Machines.
Source: Ambito
