Earlier today, Intuitive Machines' (IM) Odysseus spacecraft fired its main engine and successfully conducted a 408-second-long Lunar Orbit Insertion burn...allowing the robotic lander to be captured by the Moon's gravity after a week-long voyage from Earth. With the nearly 7-minute-long maneuver accomplished, Odysseus is now orbiting 92 kilometers (57 miles) above the lunar surface!
This orbit is obviously temporary as Odysseus—whose technical name is Nova-C—prepares to conduct its challenging lunar landing attempt Thursday afternoon. The time of touchdown on the Moon is set for 2:30 PM, PST (4:30 PM, CST)...which is earlier than the original landing time of 2:49 PM, PST (4:49 PM, CST) that was announced by Intuitive Machines two days ago.
Intuitive Machines shared these three photos taken by Odysseus as it closed in on the Moon since Tuesday night. It's going to be thrilling to see other pictures that IM will share through tomorrow morning—before Nova Control in Houston, Texas, focuses on successfully guiding Odysseus to the surface near the Moon's Malapert A crater.
Godspeed, Nova-C! Have a safe journey to the lunar South Pole tomorrow!
Intuitive Machines
Flight controllers analyzed the post-Lunar Orbit Insertion engine burn data and updated the anticipated flight maneuver timing, including an expected 1630 CST landing opportunity on Thursday. The landing opportunity will be Odysseus’ hardest challenge yet. The lander continues to… pic.twitter.com/T6ULovaOPf
— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 21, 2024
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