Intuitive Machines is aiming to make history by attempting to reach the moon’s surface, which would mark the first American lunar landing since the Apollo era. The mission, known as IM-1, is set to soft land near the moon’s south pole. The spacecraft has been performing as expected, with good readings and the engine functioning properly. There will be a brief delay before engineers can confirm the success of the landing.
If successful, Intuitive Machines will not only be the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the lunar surface since 1972 but also the first company to achieve this feat. Unlike previous successful landings, which were carried out by government agencies, this mission is spearheaded by a private company. The stock of Intuitive Machines fell 11% in Thursday trading, closing at $8.28 a share. The surge in the stock price leading up to the mission indicates investor excitement surrounding the progress of the IM-1 mission.
The spacecraft, named “Odysseus” after the Greek hero, is part of Intuitive Machines’ mission and will attempt to land in the “Malapert A” crater near the moon’s south pole. The hexagonal lander is 4.3 meters tall and has legs that spread 4.6 meters wide, making it roughly the size of an SUV stood on its end. After landing, Intuitive Machines plans to operate Odysseus on the lunar surface for up to seven days.
IM-1 marks the second mission under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which aims to deliver science projects and cargo to the moon in support of the agency’s Artemis crew program. The goal is to create an industrial base of companies that NASA can pay to fly its payloads on cost-effective missions. The mission carried 12 government and commercial payloads, including six for NASA under an $118 million contract.
While Intuitive Machines represents the latest American effort in lunar exploration, other countries are also investing heavily in lunar programs. Japan recently became the fifth country to land on the moon, joining Russia, the U.S., China, and India. Governments and private companies worldwide have made more than 50 attempts to land on the moon since the 1960s, with varying degrees of success. Despite the challenges, the modern moon race continues to gain momentum.
Overall, Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission represents a significant milestone in the exploration of the moon, showcasing the capabilities of private companies in space exploration. As the mission unfolds and Odysseus attempts to land on the lunar surface, the world watches in anticipation of a successful outcome that could pave the way for future lunar exploration missions.
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