Photo credit: Space.com
Intuitive Machines Odysseus lunar lander safely touched down on the Moon, but manged to tip over during the process. This may have been due to the fact that Odysseus’ laser rangefinders weren’t working properly, so NASA engineers had to implement a workaround to get the required altitude and velocity data.
The fix required mission control in Houston to beam a software patch to Odysseus, thus delaying the landing by around 2-hours. Before touching down, Odysseus should have been traveling at 2mph vertically, while the data showed it was moving at 6mph vertically and 2mph horizontally. This may have resulted in fractured landing gear, which caused it to tip over slightly.
- Detailed Lunar Replica - Features a detailed Eagle lunar lander replica with lunar surface, crater, footprints, and U.S. flag for a realistic space...
- Realistic Modular Model - This modular set includes a descent stage with gold-colored landing pads, panels, opening camera, laser hatches, and movable...
- Ascent Stage Interior - The ascent stage boasts a detailed interior with room for 2 astronaut minifigures, finished with an Apollo 11 Lunar Lander...
So far, we have quite a bit of operational capability even though we’re tipped over. And so that’s really exciting for us, and we’re continuing the surface operations mission as a result of it,” said Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines CEO and Co-Founder.
