Odysseus Lander Sends Final Image from Moon’s Surface Before Entering Lunar Night
In a bittersweet moment, the Odysseus lander has sent its final image from the moon’s surface before it prepares to enter the lunar night. This marks the end of a remarkable journey for the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon in 50 years. Built by Houston-based company Intuitive Machines, the lander arrived at the lunar south pole on February 22, making it the first U.S. lander to touch down on the moon since Apollo 17 in 1972.
However, Odysseus faced its fair share of challenges along the way. Initially, a malfunction with the craft’s landing lasers forced it to rely on a backup system. Then, upon touchdown, one of its six legs snapped, causing the lander to fall and bump its head against a rock. Despite these setbacks, the resilient spacecraft continued its mission.
Now, as lunar night approaches, flight controllers have made the difficult decision to power down Odysseus. The lander will face two to three weeks of bitter cold and darkness, with no sunlight to strike its solar panels. The outcome of this period remains uncertain, and it is unclear whether the lander will be able to reawaken once the sun rises again.
Before shutting down, Odysseus sent one last photo back to Earth. The image, captured on February 22, showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, serving as a subtle reminder of humanity’s presence in the vast universe. Intuitive Machines shared this poignant image on X (formerly known as Twitter), stating, “Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you again.”
Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, expressed his hopes for the lander’s future during a news conference. He said, “I think what we’re going to do is kind of tuck Odie in for the cold night of the moon and see if we can’t wake him up here when we get a solar noon here in about three weeks.” The team remains optimistic that Odysseus will survive the lunar night and continue its mission.
Odysseus embarked on its journey atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, launching from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 15. After entering lunar orbit on February 21, the lander completed one tight loop above the lunar surface before initiating a controlled landing with well-timed engine bursts.
The chosen landing site for Odysseus, close to the Malapert A crater at the lunar south pole, holds great scientific significance. Scientists have long been intrigued by this region due to its water ice deposits. This ice could potentially be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen, serving as valuable resources for future rocket fuel. NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which aims to incentivize the development of private-sector lunar landers, includes the Odysseus mission. The space agency plans to contract these companies to transport cargo and scientific equipment to the moon.
As we bid farewell to Odysseus, we are reminded of the remarkable achievements and challenges faced by this pioneering spacecraft. Its journey to the moon’s surface has paved the way for future missions and has brought us closer to unlocking the mysteries of our celestial neighbor. While we eagerly await news of Odysseus’ fate, we can reflect on the profound impact it has already made on our understanding of the moon and our place in the universe.