Intuitive Machines Odysseus lands on moon in historic NASA mission

From CNBC:

Intuitive Machines made history by successfully landing their IM-1 lander “Odysseus” on the moon, the first American lunar landing since 1972. The company’s mission control confirmed the spacecraft’s successful landing after overcoming communication challenges. Intuitive Machines’ stock surged after the historic achievement, marking a significant milestone for the company’s publicly traded status.

The Odysseus lander landed in the Malapert A crater, approximately 300 kilometers from the moon’s south pole, following a series of maneuvers and descent orbit insertion. Carrying 12 payloads, including six for NASA under a contract worth $118 million, the IM-1 mission represents a significant step in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative. The impressive size of the Nova-C lander, about equal to an SUV stood on its end, reflects the extensive planning and execution needed for lunar exploration.

IM-1’s successful moon landing reflects a global trend in lunar exploration, with Japan, China, India, and Russia already making significant strides in lunar missions. Intuitive Machines’ accomplishment underscores a broader race to the moon involving governments and private companies alike, with ongoing efforts to send additional missions this year. Despite historical challenges, the modern moon race continues to gain momentum across the globe.



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