Breaking News: Intuitive Machines’ “Odysseus” Lander Poised for Historic Lunar Landing

Intuitive Machines Odysseus lunar landing

Prepare for an extraordinary journey as the six-legged robotic spacecraft, affectionately named Odysseus, embarks on an epic voyage spanning over 1 million kilometers (or more than 621,000 miles) since its departure just a day after Valentine’s Day. Poised to potentially become the first American vehicle to grace the lunar surface since Apollo 17 in December 1972, Odysseus represents a monumental leap in space exploration.

Key Details:

• Intuitive Machines’ dedicated crews have set their sights on 5:30 p.m. EST Thursday, Feb. 22, to execute a historic lunar landing near the moon’s south pole region. This ambitious endeavor promises to leave an indelible mark on the Space Coast of Florida and beyond.
• What is Odysseus? Resembling the iconic TARDIS time machine from “Doctor Who,” Odysseus embarked on its celestial journey atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, separating from the rocket 48 minutes after liftoff. Scheduled for potential touchdown on Feb. 22, this mission is poised to redefine the future of lunar exploration.
• Who is Intuitive Machines? Houston-based Intuitive Machines is the visionary force behind Odysseus, embodying its mission to “open access to the moon for the progress of humanity.” Founded in 2013 by Stephen Altemus, Kam Ghaffarian, and Tim Crain, the company is on the cusp of revolutionizing space travel with its lunar program.

Key Background:

• The Odysseus mission follows in the footsteps of previous lunar exploration initiatives, including Russia’s Luna-25 mission, which experienced an anomaly resulting in a surface impact in August 2023. Despite setbacks, the spirit of exploration perseveres, driving humanity’s quest for knowledge and discovery.
• As the world eagerly awaits Odysseus’ lunar rendezvous, the mission underscores the collective endeavor to establish a long-term human presence on the moon, laying the groundwork for future exploration of Mars and beyond.

How to Watch:

• The USA TODAY Network’s Space Team will provide live coverage of Odysseus’ lunar landing via NASA TV, commencing at 4:15 p.m. EST on Thursday, Feb. 22. Witness this historic event as Odysseus delivers a suite of six NASA scientific payloads, marking a significant milestone in the Artemis campaign.

As Odysseus ventures into the final frontier, join us in celebrating this remarkable feat of human ingenuity and exploration. Stay tuned for live updates and witness history in the making as we reach for the stars and beyond.