An intuitive machine, science advances for NASA’s moon landing – Artemis

Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lander has successfully entered lunar orbit and is currently orbiting the moon. Odysseus is about 60 miles (92 km) from the moon and remains in good health.

The spacecraft will spend about a day in orbit around the moon before beginning its descent towards the lunar surface. Landing opportunity is targeted for Thursday, February 22nd at 5:30pm ET.

All powered NASA science instruments on board have completed transportation checkout, are receiving data, and are operating as expected. LN-1 (Lunar Node 1 Navigation Demonstrator), NDL (Navigation Doppler Lidar for Accurate Speed ​​and Distance Sensing), RFMG (Radio Frequency Mass Meter), ROLSES (Radio observation of photoelectron sheath on the lunar surface), SCALPSS (Stereo Camera for Studying the Moon’s Plume Surface). Since then, LRA (Laser Retroreflector Array) This device is a passive experiment designed for the lunar surface and cannot be operated in any way during transport.

LN-1 completed three successful passes with NASA’s Deep Space Network and established real-time communications with ground stations on Earth. After landing on the moon, the LN-1 team will conduct a full system checkout and from landing he will begin continuous operations within 24 hours. NASA’s Deep Space Network receives that transmission, captures telemetry, Doppler tracking, and other data and relays it to Earth.

A SCALPSS checkout was completed during transit to ensure the camera worked as expected and the equipment was in good condition. SCALPSS will use four small cameras to collect images of how the Earth’s surface changes due to interaction with the rover’s engine plume as the lander descends toward the moon.

RFMG continues to measure Odysseus’ cryogenic propellant throughout the mission, including propellant loading, transport, lunar orbit injection burn, and low lunar orbit. Data collection and analysis will continue until the lunar landing, potentially providing insight into how to measure fuel in microgravity.

NDL and ROLSES remain operational, and flight controllers continue to monitor instruments and collect data to inform preparations for landing.

Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission is the company’s first mission with the agency. Commercial monthly payload service The effort aims to gain new insights into the lunar environment and expand the lunar economy in support of future human missions under NASA’s Artemis campaign.

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