Intuitive Machines with their main client, NASA, made history since the USA’s 1972 moon landing.
The latest development with the spacecraft named Odysseus was a big step since the first moon landing over years ago.
Odysseus was launched to the moon’s surface ahead of bigger plans to explore space with people in years to come.
NASA celebrates commercial partnership
According to CNN, Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 lander aka Odysseus / Odie worked with NASA to explore the moon with robots. Odie’s landing is the beginning of NASA’s Attermis program which aims to send astronauts to the moon within the next 10 years.
What will Odysseus do on the moon?
Odysseus has serious jobs on the moon with a time limit. The robot was fitted with equipment (payloads) to show communication, navigation and precision landing technologies”. Odie will also collect information about the rocket’s emissions at high altitudes “as well as space weather and lunar surface interactions affecting radio astronomy.”
Odie carried Columbia Sportswear insulation material as protection against extreme temperatures. It also has symbolic payloads such as a sculpture of the moon phases designed in consultation with artist Jeff Koons.
Odysseus doomed after lunar landing
There is also a camera to get a selfie of the robot (picture not immediately available)e. Odysseus is expected to remain functional for one week when the landing zone becomes dark and freezing.
2024 moon landing sparks conspiracies
Netizens were keen to see images from the latest moon landing. People on Twitter aka X expressed doubt about NASA’s progress.
@lagertha66 said:
“#MOONLANDING Where’s the evidence? Where’s the live stream? They apparently managed it back in 1969….even phoned earth, LIVE!”