Odysseus Lander on Moon : A Historic Landing by SpaceX with Intuitive Machines On February 15, 2024, a new chapter unfolded in lunar exploration. The "Odysseus" lander, built by Intuitive Machines and launched on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, embarked on a mission to the Moon. This marked the first US lunar landing in 50 years, and a significant collaboration between private and public space agencies. The Journey of Odysseus: The mission, named IM-1, saw the 14-foot-tall lander journey for a week before successfully entering lunar orbit. This critical maneuver, called "lunar orbit insertion," positioned Odysseus for its historic touchdown. A Private Touch on the Public Stage: While NASA played a crucial role by selecting the landing site and providing scientific payloads, the mission was a testament to the growing capabilities of private space companies. Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based company, designed, built, and operated the lander, demonstrating the increasing i...
“The universe is not only stranger than we imagine, it is stranger than we can't imagine”