'Odysseus' Transmits First Lunar Landing Images

Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lander establishes the southernmost landing site while maintaining communication with Earth, the company said.

Kimberly Johnson

Monday, February 26, 2024 at 02:11 PM ET

Verified

New photos released by Intuitive Machines and NASA show Odysseus' descent and confirm its location on the moon's surface. [Courtesy: Intuitive Machines]

Key Takeaways:

Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar lander successfully made the southernmost landing on the moon, establishing communication with Earth.
Despite the successful touchdown, the lander tipped over onto its side during descent after a foot got caught in the lunar surface.
This mission represents the first successful soft landing under NASA's CLPS initiative and the first operation of new NASA science instruments on the moon in over 50 years.

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Intuitive Machines’ autonomous lunar lander Odysseus has established the southernmost landing site on the moon, while also maintaining communication with Earth, the company said Monday.

New photos released Monday by the Houston-based aerospace company and NASA show Odysseus’ descent and confirm its location, days after the Nova-C lander completed its seven-day, 600,000-mile journey, softly landing in the South Pole region of the moon around 6:23 p.m. EST Thursday.