According to Intuitive Machines’ February 27 announcement, the Odysseus lander operated by this company still maintains contact with the control room on Earth and the ship’s battery will likely continue to operate for another 10-20 hours. (from the time of announcement).
The Odysseus lander (without a crew) landed at the Moon’s South Pole on February 22, thereby becoming the first US spacecraft to land on the Moon’s surface after more than 50 years.
According to Intuitive Machines, a data analysis report by flight monitoring engineers showed that although Odysseus landed on the lunar surface, one of the spacecraft’s six landing legs tripped on the uneven surface. flat of the Moon and is therefore tilted to one side.
Intuitive Machines said that on the morning of February 27, the Odysseus spacecraft transmitted to Earth some scientific data and images from the Moon. These documents will help the company advance its next target missions. Intuitive Machines stated: “Flight controllers are working to determine the remaining battery life on the lander. The onboard battery can last another 10 to 20 hours.”
The Odysseus lander carries scientific equipment from the US Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and many other commercial goods to the Moon.
The last time the US performed a lunar landing mission was in December 1972, with the Apollo 17 flight. This was also the last mission in the Apollo Program that the country deployed.