First Images from Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus

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Intuitive Machines’ cargo lander, Odysseus, has captured and returned its initial images from the moon’s surface, marking a significant milestone in the company’s IM-1 mission. The privately developed spacecraft successfully soft-landed on the lunar surface, becoming the first of its kind.

The Odysseus Mission

Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus mission has now commenced on the moon’s surface after its successful landing. Initially, the spacecraft was believed to be standing upright, but a late update revealed that it had tipped over due to its landing gear catching sideways on the lunar surface. However, despite its tilted position, Odysseus is still operational and continues to transmit valuable data. The spacecraft is expected to function until Tuesday morning, when its solar panels will no longer be exposed to the sun.

Payloads and Achievements

Odysseus carried a total of 12 government and commercial payloads, six of which are dedicated to NASA under a $118 million contract through the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. One of the notable payloads, called “EagleCam,” developed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, was supposed to capture the first-ever images of a moon landing from outside a spacecraft. Unfortunately, due to a navigation system issue, the camera did not deploy during the landing. However, Intuitive Machines plans to release EagleCam from the lander at a later time.

Despite the spacecraft tipping over, NASA leadership has emphasized that the IM-1 mission is still considered a resounding success. The landing itself is hailed as a remarkable achievement in the field of private space exploration.

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Initial Images

Here are some of the initial images captured during the Odysseus mission:

Coming in for Landing

Intuitive Machines' cargo lander Odysseus flying toward the lunar surface

On the Surface

A wide field-of-view image taken shortly after Odysseus tipped over

Spotted from Above

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera captured Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander on the moon's surface

These images provide a fascinating glimpse into the Odysseus mission and the lunar landscape.

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