Odysseus passes over the near side of the Moon after going into lunar orbit insertion on February21 Credit: Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander has actually accomplished lunar orbit, with all systems functional and all set for a targeted lunar landing.
Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander has actually finished lunar orbit insertion effectively and is presently orbiting theMoon Odysseus continues to remain in exceptional health and is roughly 60 miles (92 km) from the Moon.
Countdown to Lunar Landing
The spacecraft will orbit the Moon for roughly one day before starting its descent towards the lunar surface area. The landing chance is targeted for Thursday, February 22, at 5: 30 p.m. < period class ="glossaryLink" aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>EST</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>EST is an abbreviation for Eastern Standard Time, the time zone for the eastern coast of the United States and Canada when observing standard time (autumn/winter). It is five hours behind Coordinated Universal Time. New York City, Washington, D.C., Boston, and the Kennedy Space Center are in the Eastern Time Zone (ET).</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex ="0" function ="link" > EST
Odysseus ‘TerrainRelativeNavigation video camera records theBel’ kovich K crater on the(********************************************************************************************************************** )’s northern equatorial highlands. The crater has an approximate50 km size with mountains in the center, made when the crater was formed.Credit:IntuitiveMachines
InstrumentCheckouts andOperations
(************ )All powered < period class =(********************************** )aria-describedby ="tt" data-cmtooltip ="<div class=glossaryItemTitle>NASA</div><div class=glossaryItemBody>Established in 1958, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is an independent agency of the United States Federal Government that succeeded the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA). It is responsible for the civilian space program, as well as aeronautics and aerospace research. Its vision is "To discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity." Its core values are "safety, integrity, teamwork, excellence, and inclusion." NASA conducts research, develops technology and launches missions to explore and study Earth, the solar system, and the universe beyond. It also works to advance the state of knowledge in a wide range of scientific fields, including Earth and space science, planetary science, astrophysics, and heliophysics, and it collaborates with private companies and international partners to achieve its goals.</div>" data-gt-translate-attributes="[{"attribute":"data-cmtooltip", "format":"html"}]" tabindex ="0" function ="link" > NASA science instruments on board have actually finished their transit checkouts, got information, and are running as anticipated, consisting of: LN-1(LunarNode 1NavigationDemonstrator), NDL(NavigationDopplerLidar forPreciseVelocity andRangeSensing), RFMG(RadioFrequencyMassGauge), ROLSES(Radio- waveObservations at theLunarSurface of thePhotoelectronSheath), SCALPSS(StereoCameras forLunarPlume-SurfaceStudies).Since the LRA(LaserRetroreflectorArray) instrument is a passive experiment created for the lunar surface area, it can not perform any operations in transit.
(*************** )Communications andHealthChecks
LN-1 has actually made 3 effective passes with NASA’sDeepSpace Network, developing real-time interactions with ground stations onEarthUpon lunar goal, the LN-1 group will perform a complete systems checkout and start constant operations within24 hours of landing. NASA’sDeepSpaceNetwork will get its transmissions, catching telemetry,Doppler tracking, and other information and communicating it back toEarth
A SCALPSS checkout was finished throughout transit, validating the electronic cameras are running as anticipated and the instrument remains in health.Using 4 small electronic cameras, SCALPSS will gather images of how the surface area modifications from interactions with the spacecraft’s engine plume as the lander comes down towards theMoon
Preparing forLunarLanding
RFMG continues to determine the cryogenic propellants onOdysseus throughout the objective, consisting of propellant loading, transit, lunar orbit insertion burn, and low lunar orbit.Data collection and analysis will continue through landing on theMoon and might offer insights on how to determine fuel in microgravity.
NDL and ROLSES have actually been run, and flight controllers will continue to keep an eye on the instruments and gather information to notify preparations for landing.
IntuitiveMachines’ IM-1 objective is the business’s very first objective through the firm’s (********************************************************************************************************************************************************* )LunarPayloadServices effort, which intends to acquire brand-new insights into the lunar environment and broaden the lunar economy to support future crewed objectives under NASA’sArtemis project.(********** )
