US performs first Moon landing since 1972 — RT World News
The Odysseus lander, designed by the private aerospace company Intuitive Machines, became the first American-made spacecraft to land on the moon since 1972. It was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 15.
“There is no doubt that our equipment is on the moon, and we are broadcasting.” Tim Crane, co-founder of Intuitive Machines, said during the live stream.
“Today, for the first time in more than half a century, the United States returned to the moon.” NASA Administrator Bill Nelson said shortly after the 14-foot lander successfully reached the moon's surface. “Today is a day that demonstrates the power and promise of NASA’s commercial partnerships.”
While orbiting the Moon, Odysseus took a photo of Belkovitch Crater.
Odysseus' Terrain Relative Navigation Camera captured this image of Bel'kovich K crater in the moon's northern equatorial highlands. It is a crater approximately 50 kilometers in diameter with mountains in the center, which was formed when the crater formed. (February 21, 2024 1750 CST) pic.twitter.com/0egu0NOrKP
— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 21, 2024
The lander contains six NASA research instruments, including equipment to analyze lunar soil and electron plasma.
The ship also carries a work by American artist Jeff Koons, a transparent box containing 125 round stainless steel sculptures representing the phases of the moon.
We're just a few hours away from the 1 a.m. EST February 14 launch of my moon phase artwork on Intuitive Machines' IM-1 mission. The photos capture the Nova-C lunar lander as it is enveloped on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket. I am honored to have the first licensed work of art on the Moon's surface. pic.twitter.com/RpuSjbr7de
– Jeff Koons (@JeffKoons) February 13, 2024
Details to follow
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