A historic mission to Moon has just come to a place, privately-owned spaceship, named Odysseus, has launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida. If successful, its owner, Intuitive Machines, will become the first private company to achieve this feat. Unlike previous lunar landings conducted by national space agencies, this mission marks a significant step in the commercial space industry’s development.
Odysseus aims to land on the Moon’s south pole, where scientists believe there may be water. The mission is part of NASA’s efforts to encourage private space exploration, offering funding to expand human presence beyond Earth.
The spacecraft, propelled by a Falcon 9 rocket from SpaceX, carries a mix of scientific instruments. These include tools to study moon dust disturbance upon landing, laser reflectors for Earth-based measurements, and cameras to capture the historic moment.
Intuitive Machines, the mission’s organiser, has emphasized the importance of learning from past lunar missions to ensure success. The spacecraft utilizes liquid methane and oxygen for fuel, loaded before liftoff. Among its cargo are 125 miniature sculptures by artist Jeff Koons, intended to be the first artworks on the lunar surface.
The spacecraft, about the size of an old British phone booth, will journey to the Moon’s near side, aiming for a region about 186 miles from the south pole. This area is particularly intriguing to scientists due to the potential presence of frozen water.
In March, Intuitive Machines plans to send another spacecraft to drill and explore underground ice. This mission is part of NASA’s initiative to foster a marketplace for private space exploration, though it comes after the recent failure of Astrobotic’s Peregrine Lander due to a fuel leak.
Nasa official Joel Kearns highlights the importance of cost-consciousness in developing this marketplace. Despite challenges, the ongoing efforts represent a significant shift towards a future where private companies play a key role in space exploration and scientific discovery.