Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus explains how the corporate’s IM-1 lander tipped over at the moon’s surfacing all over a NASA press convention on Feb. 22, 2023.NASA TVIntuitive Machines to start with reported Odysseus used to be status upright. However, in an replace overdue on Friday, corporate executives mentioned they imagine the spacecraft stuck its touchdown tools sideways within the moon’s floor whilst touching down and tipped over.In spite of resting on its aspect, Odysseus continues to be sending again knowledge. Intuitive Machines expects Odysseus to function till Tuesday morning, when its sun panels will now not be uncovered to the solar.Intuitive Machines’ inventory fell up to 30% in Monday buying and selling from its earlier shut at $9.59 a percentage.The Odysseus lander carried 12 executive and industrial payloads — six of that are for NASA underneath a $118 million contract in the course of the company’s Industrial Lunar Payload Services and products, or CLPS, initiative.NASA management emphasised the IM-1 venture used to be nonetheless a success in spite of the spacecraft tipping over, calling the touchdown “a huge accomplishment.” The Nova-C lunar lander designed by way of aerospace corporate Intuitive Machines is displayed on the corporate’s headquarters in Houston, Texas, U.S., October 3, 2023. Group of workers | ReutersOne of the payloads, “EagleCam,” is a small digicam evolved by way of Embry‑Riddle Aeronautical College. Initially EagleCam used to be to be ejected within the ultimate moments of Odysseus’ touchdown, to seize the primary pictures of a moon touchdown from outdoor a spacecraft, however a subject matter with the lander’s navigation machine supposed the digicam didn’t deploy. Embry-Riddle’s workforce mentioned that Intuitive Machines nonetheless plans to unlock EagleCam from the lander at a later time.Listed here are probably the most preliminary pictures from the touchdown: The corporate’s shipment lander Odysseus is noticed flying towards the lunar floor in preparation for its touchdown on Feb. 22, 2024.Intuitive MachinesA extensive field-of-view symbol taken in a while after Odysseus tipped over.Intuitive MachinesNASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Digital camera known Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander at the floor.NASA/GSFC/Arizona State College
