The Odysseus lander transmitted its inaugural photos from the moon’s surface on Monday, marking a significant achievement for the maiden lunar probe operated by a private enterprise.
Touching down near the moon’s south pole on Thursday, Odysseus secured its place as the first American probe to land on the lunar surface in over five decades. Despite encountering challenges when the probe toppled over upon landing, the mission was ultimately deemed a success. Currently, the lander rests on its side.
A fisheye lens captured the initial photo, revealing the lower legs of the probe protruding from the gray, rocky lunar terrain. Additional imagery documented the moon’s surface during the probe’s descent, offering some of the closest views ever obtained of the moon’s south pole region.
The south pole holds particular intrigue for scientists due to its speculated water ice reserves and mineral deposits. NASA has outlined plans for manned missions to this region in the future.
Developed by Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based aerospace firm with NASA among its clientele alongside other aerospace entities, Odysseus was equipped with a multitude of scientific instruments and experiments. The project received approximately $120 million in funding from NASA and other contributors.
Intuitive Machines announced on Monday that the probe’s mission will conclude a few days ahead of schedule, ceasing operations early Tuesday as the sun sets on the lunar region.
