Intuitive Machines and LM-1 Make History

Kennedy Space Center, FL. – On February 15, 2024, SpaceX launched the Intuitive Machines LM-1 NOVA C“Odysseus” Lunar Lander as part of the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) for the Artemis program. Liftoff came at 1:05 AM EST from launch complex 39-A. Today, February 22, 2024, “Odysseus”, the LM-1 Lander after a week long journey to the moon made a successful autonomous landing on the lunar surface near the Lunar South Pole. This lunar landing is the first one for the United States since the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Landing took place about 6:23 PM EST.

In a statement from Intuitive Machines: “I know this was a nail-biter, but we are on the surface, and we are transmitting,” Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus announced on a live webcast. “Welcome to the moon.”

It would take several minutes to know that communications between Earth and the Lander were successful.

In a statement from NASA: “Today for the first time in more than a half-century, the US has returned to the moon,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “Today is a day that shows the power and promise of NASA’s commercial partnerships. Congratulations to everyone involved in this great and daring quest.”  Image Credit:  Michael Seeley