ODYSSEUS Spacecraft, Robotic Lunar Lander, Launched By Lntuitive Machines

ODYSSEUS Spacecraft, Robotic Lunar Lander, Launched By Intuitive Machines

Recently the US-based company Intuitive Machines launched its robotic lunar lander, Odysseus, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida, Know About ODYSSEUS Spacecraft in This Article.

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Context: Recently the US-based company Intuitive Machines launched its robotic lunar lander, Odysseus, from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida

About the Lander

Odysseus, launched by Intuitive Machines, is a lunar lander on the IM-1 mission under NASA’s CLPS initiative.
Mission aims: Conduct experiments, and tech demonstrations, and gather data for NASA’s Artemis program.

Attribute	Description
Name	Odysseus Spacecraft
Developer	Intuitive Machines
Mission	To become the first private American spacecraft to land on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
Launch Date	February 22, 2023

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Key Features of Odysseus Lander

Here are some key features of the Odysseus lander:

Solar panels: The lander’s solar panels can generate 200 watts of power on the moon’s surface.
Main engine: The lander’s main engine uses liquid methane as fuel and liquid oxygen as oxidizer. The engine is the first of its kind to use these propellants.
Landing leg: The lander has a landing leg.
Helium tank: The lander has a helium tank.
Payloads: The lander carries five NASA payloads and commercial cargo.
Camera system: The lander has a camera system called EagleCam that captures the lander’s descent.
Science and technology experiments: The lander carries science and technology experiments that could help with future lunar landing missions.
Sculpture: The lander carries an original sculpture designed in collaboration with artist Jeff Koons.

The Odysseus lander is part of Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, which is named after the mythological Greek hero.

Objectives of Odysseus Lander

The Odysseus lunar lander’s objectives are to:

Test spacecraft systems
Assess the environment in the south-polar region
Become the first commercial U.S. vehicle to make it to the lunar surface
Carry out scientific investigations and technology demonstrations

The lander is scheduled to reach lunar orbit on February 21, 2024, and descend to Malapert A crater on the 22nd. The lander is expected to spend a week in space before attempting to settle on the moon.

The lander, nicknamed “Odie” or IM-1, is privately built and carries five NASA payloads and commercial cargo. It also carries Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s Eaglecam, which will take pictures of the lander as they both descend.

Significance

Opening Doors to Wider Lunar Exploration: Odysseus’s successful landing signifies the capability of private American spacecraft to operate on the Moon, paving the way for expanded lunar missions by both NASA and commercial entities.
Part of NASA’s CLPS Program: Odysseus is integral to NASA’s CLPS program, leveraging commercial companies to transport payloads to the Moon and accelerating lunar exploration.

Challenges

First Lunar Landing Attempt by Intuitive Machines: The mission marks Intuitive Machines’ inaugural lunar landing attempt, highlighting the significant milestone for the company and the challenges associated with executing a successful lunar mission.
Historical Failures of Private Lunar Landing Attempts: Past private lunar landing attempts have faced obstacles and failures, emphasizing the technical, logistical, and operational challenges inherent in lunar exploration. Intuitive Machines must overcome these hurdles to demonstrate its capability to deliver reliable lunar missions.

ODYSSEUS Spacecraft FAQs

When was the last moon mission?

19 December 1972

Which mission landed on the moon?

Apollo 11 landed 13 degrees, 19 minutes north latitude and 169 degrees, nine minutes west longitude July 24, 1969.

Who stayed longest on moon?

Cernan and Schmitt spent a total of 75 hours on the Moon and performed three extra-vehicular activities (EVAs, or “moonwalks”), totaling 22 hours and 4 minutes.