Private US spaceship successfully launches on lunar mission
A private US spaceship embarked on a mission to attempt a lunar landing, taking off early Thursday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This marks the second private-led effort this year following a previous failed attempt.
Intuitive Machines, the Houston-based company spearheading the mission “IM-1,” aspires to become the first non-government entity to achieve a soft touchdown on the Moon and to deploy the first US robot on the lunar surface since the Apollo missions over five decades ago.
The hexagonal-shaped Nova-C lander, christened “Odysseus,” soared into the skies atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket shortly after 1:00 am local time (0600 GMT). The launch, initially scheduled for Wednesday, faced a postponement due to abnormal temperatures detected during the fueling process of the lander. However, Space agency NASA confirmed the successful separation of the Nova-C lander, affirming its continuation towards the Moon.
Equipped with a novel supercooled liquid methane and oxygen engine, the lander possesses the capability to expedite its journey to the Moon, minimizing exposure to the high radiation environment surrounding the Earth known as the Van Allen belt. Trent Martin of Intuitive Machines emphasized the significance of the mission, stating that the endeavor to return the United States to the Moon is a testament to the engineering prowess and the innate human drive to explore.
Despite the delay, the spacecraft is scheduled to reach its designated landing site, Malapert A, on February 22, located 300 kilometers (180 miles) from the lunar south pole. This mission holds strategic importance for NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon and harness lunar resources for sustenance and propulsion.
IM-1 represents the second mission under NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which aims to engage the private sector in lunar exploration endeavors. This collaborative approach seeks to realize cost savings and foster the development of a robust lunar economy. While previous private attempts encountered challenges, including engine anomalies and crash landings, Intuitive Machines remains hopeful in achieving a successful soft landing, contributing to the advancement of lunar exploration and space innovation.
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