Intuitive Machines' lunar lander on SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket

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Texas-based Intuitive Machines' inaugural moon mission began early Thursday morning, heading toward what could be the first U.S. lunar landing in more than 50 years.

Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander launched from Florida on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, beginning the IM-1 mission.
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The IM-1 lander, named "Odysseus" after the mythological Greek hero, is carrying 12 government and commercial payloads — six of which are for NASA under an $118 million contract.
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Intuitive Machines outlined 16 milestones it hopes to achieve with IM-1, with landing successfully representing the final step. So far, the company confirmed IM-1 has achieved two of those milestones — launch and separation from the rocket.

The IM-1 lander is expected to spend about eight days traveling to the moon before descending to the surface on Feb. 22. The mission is targeting the "Malapert A" crater, about 300 kilometers from the moon's south pole. After landing, Intuitive Machines aims to operate Odysseus on the surface for up to seven days.
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Moon company Intuitive Machines begins first mission after SpaceX launch

If fully successful, the IM-1 cargo mission would be the first U.S. lunar landing in more than 50 years.

www.cnbc.com

Launch starts at around the 55 minute mark:

 

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Lunar landing attempt in about 5 minutes.

 

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LIVE: Press conference for first U.S. moon landing in over 50 years​

Streamed live 83 minutes ago
The moon’s newest arrival was said to be “alive and well” a day after making the first U.S. landing in half a century, but flight controllers were still trying to get a better handle on its bearings.

Intuitive Machines reported Friday that it’s communicating with its lander, Odysseus, and sending commands to acquire science data. But it noted: “We continue to learn more about the vehicle’s specific information” regarding location, overall health and positioning.


1:18:00

 

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Does it have any cameras? Waiting for images/video...

 

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Intuitive Machines moon lander sends home a haunting crater picture ahead of touch down today

Odysseus continues its voyage to the lunar surface.

www.space.com

 

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I read that Odysseus landed on it's side and is resting against a rock. It was apparently not a smooth landing.

 

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Odysseus Lunar Lander Sent a Farewell Photo of Earth: Now What?​

Goodbye, Odie. On Thursday, Houston-based space-exploration company Intuitive Machines bade farewell to Odysseus, the lunar lander that took the US to the moon for the first time in more than 50 years. The lander had been there for a week and will remain on the moon's surface, inoperable but remembered as a historic achievement in the annals of lunar exploration.

"Before its power was depleted, Odysseus completed a fitting farewell transmission," the company wrote in a tweet shared on Thursday. "Received today, this image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity's presence in the universe. Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you."

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