Intuitive Machines Inc. has announced that its Odysseus spacecraft, the first commercial lander to successfully touch down on the moon, is still functioning nearly a week after the groundbreaking landing.
Continued Operation on Lunar Surface
In a recent update posted on social media platform X (formerly known as Twitter), the company shared, “Still kicking, Odysseus continues to operate on the lunar surface.” The team plans to downlink additional data and configure Odysseus to potentially establish communication once it reactivates upon sunrise.
Historic Landing and Stock Surge
Odysseus made history with its landing on February 22, driving Intuitive Machines’ stock value up significantly. Despite facing challenges such as a tipped-over landing near the moon’s south pole and initial concerns about mission duration, the spacecraft has persevered.
Ongoing Power Generation and Data Reception
Intuitive Machines’ CEO, Steve Altemus, confirmed that Odysseus is still generating solar power and successfully transmitting data from all 12 of its payloads, including those from NASA and commercial partners.
Impact on Lunar Landing Economics
The success of Odysseus marks a significant milestone in lunar exploration, with the spacecraft revolutionizing the economics of landing on the moon, as stated by Intuitive Machines.
Intuitive Machines Stock Surges
Intuitive Machines shares are up 6.4% Thursday. The stock has gained 119.3% in the last three months, outpacing the S&P 500 index’s SPX gain of 11.4%.
Odysseus Lunar Mission Update
Odysseus is being put to sleep for the duration of the cold lunar night, which lasts approximately two Earth weeks.
IM-1 Mission Details
The IM-1 mission is carrying NASA instruments focusing on plume-surface interactions, space-weather and lunar-surface interactions, radio astronomy and precision-landing technologies, along with a communication and navigation node for future autonomous-navigation technologies, according to the space agency.
SLIM Lunar Landing
In January, the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency’s uncrewed Smart Lander for Investigating Moon, or SLIM, landed on the moon, but the probe appeared to be upside down on the lunar surface in an image taken by SLIM’s rover. On Monday, JAXA confirmed that the SLIM probe had survived a two-week-long lunar night and had maintained its communication capabilities. SLIM’s recovery from the cold lunar night was described as “remarkable” by Space.com.
