A private spacecraft built by Intuitive Machines has successfully touched down on the Moon, marking the first US lunar landing in over 50 years. But flight controllers are working to improve communication after receiving only a faint signal.
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“”We can confirm, without a doubt, that our equipment is on the moon’s surface,”” said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus on February 22. “”I know this was a nail-biter, but we are transmitting on the surface. Welcome to the Moon.””
The company ended its live broadcast shortly after announcing the landing without providing the exact location or condition of the lander named Odysseus. Mission director Tim Crain said teams are evaluating how to refine the weak lone signal from the 14-foot-tall craft.
Regardless, it represents a milestone achievement. Intuitive Machines is the first private firm to accomplish a moon landing, which only five nations have done. It comes after recent failed attempts by other companies.
Odysseus descended from lunar orbit and autonomously guided himself towards the surface, targeting a relatively flat spot near the south pole. Tension built at the Houston command centre as the scheduled touchdown time passed without a word.
The $118 million mission was launched last week, carrying experiments for NASA. It aims to demonstrate commercial lunar deliveries that could pave the way for planned astronaut returns.
The solar-powered lander also transported commercial payloads for clients, including Columbia Sportswear, sculptor Jeff Koons, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University. It is designed to operate for one week until the start of the long lunar night.
Intuitive Machines landed closer to the Moon’s south pole than any prior spacecraft, around 80 degrees latitude. The site near Malapert crater was chosen for its flat but boulder-strewn terrain that could harbour frozen water.
The US last achieved a lunar landing during Apollo missions that concluded in 1972. Since then, countries like Russia, China, and India have sent robotic craft to the surface. A private firm tried but failed last month when its leaking lander plunged back to Earth.
With its success, Intuitive Machines has advanced commercial aspirations for the Moon and placed the first American hardware on the surface since Apollo. But engineers must work quickly to improve communication before the harsh lunar environment cuts it off completely.
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