The spacecraft continues to work well, and specialists are now receiving the first images from the landing site.
The Odysseus spacecraft, which had successfully landed on the Moon the day before, flipped over on its side, but continued on. Intuitive Machines announced this on Friday, February 23, Reuters reports.
Odysseus appears to have caught one of its six landing legs on the lunar surface during its final descent and toppled over, resting sideways on a rock, said Stephen Altemus, director of the company that built and operates the lander.
However, Altemus said that Odysseus is stable near or at its planned landing site in the Malaperta A crater near the moon’s south pole.
“We are communicating with the lander and sending commands to it,” Altemus said, adding that experts are working to take the first photographs from the lunar surface at the landing site.
Shortly after Thursday’s landing, the company said radio signals indicated Odysseus had landed vertically, but Altemus said that conclusion was wrong and based on telemetry received before the landing.
Intuitive Machines mission director Tim Crane said the spacecraft “performed flawlessly” during its flight to the Moon. As expected, it was recharged with solar energy and charged 100%.
We remind you that on Thursday, for the first time in 50 years, an American spacecraft landed on the Moon.
Earlier, Odysseus, during its flight to the Moon, sent the first pictures taken into space.
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Source: korrespondent
I am Ben Stock, a passionate and experienced digital journalist working in the news industry. At the Buna Times, I write articles covering technology developments and related topics. I strive to provide reliable information that my readers can trust. My research skills are top-notch, as well as my ability to craft engaging stories on timely topics with clarity and accuracy.