# EagleCam

> Cubesat designed to image the landing of Intuitive Machines-1 on the Moon

**Wikidata**: [Q124605906](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124605906)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/EagleCam)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/eaglecam

## Summary
EagleCam is a CubeSat designed to capture third-person imagery of the Intuitive Machines-1 (IM-1) lunar landing. Developed by Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, it was launched in February 2024 as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program to provide a unique visual record of a spacecraft touching down on the Moon.

## Key Facts
- **Instance of:** CubeSat (miniaturized satellite composed of 10cm-sided cubic modules).
- **Developer & Operator:** Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU).
- **Launch Date:** February 15, 2024, at 06:05 UTC.
- **Launch Vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1060.18).
- **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Mission Context:** Part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) and the Intuitive Machines-1 mission.
- **Destination:** Malapert A, Moon.
- **Significant Events:** Moon landing (February 22, 2024), jettison from lander (February 28, 2024), and Wi-Fi failure (February 28, 2024).
- **Naming:** Named after the eagle.

## FAQs
### Q: What was the primary purpose of EagleCam?
A: EagleCam was specifically designed to be jettisoned from the Intuitive Machines-1 lander to image the spacecraft's landing on the lunar surface from an external perspective.

### Q: Who built and managed the EagleCam project?
A: The CubeSat was developed, manufactured, and operated by Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University, a major university system specializing in aviation and aerospace.

### Q: Did EagleCam encounter any issues during its mission?
A: While the mission reached the Moon, EagleCam experienced a Wi-Fi communication failure on February 28, 2024, shortly after it was jettisoned from the IM-1 lander.

## Why It Matters
EagleCam represents a significant milestone in university-led space exploration, demonstrating the ability of academic institutions to contribute specialized hardware to commercial lunar missions. As part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, it highlights the growing role of private-public partnerships in lunar science. The mission's goal—to capture the first third-person imagery of a lunar landing—addresses a technical challenge in aerospace: documenting the final descent and touchdown of a spacecraft from an external vantage point. Although the mission faced technical hurdles with its Wi-Fi system following deployment, the project provides valuable data for future miniaturized satellite operations in the lunar environment and showcases the integration of CubeSat technology into complex deep-space missions.

## Notable For
- **University Achievement:** Developed and operated entirely by Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University.
- **Third-Person Imaging:** Designed specifically to capture external "selfie" style footage of a lunar landing.
- **CLPS Integration:** Served as a payload for the first Intuitive Machines mission to the Moon under NASA's CLPS program.
- **Distinct Identity:** It is a space-faring CubeSat, distinct from the Southwest Florida Eagle Cam.

## Body

### Mission Overview
EagleCam is a CubeSat mission integrated into the Intuitive Machines-1 (IM-1) lunar mission. Its primary objective was to deploy from the IM-1 lander before touchdown to photograph the spacecraft as it reached the lunar surface. The project was conducted under the framework of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS).

### Technical Development
The satellite was manufactured and developed by Embry–Riddle Aeronautical University (ERAU). As a CubeSat, it follows the standard miniaturized satellite format consisting of 10cm cubic modules. ERAU also served as the mission operator, managing the satellite's functions and communications.

### Launch and Deployment
- **Launch:** The mission launched on February 15, 2024, from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A.
- **Vehicle:** It was carried by a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket.
- **Destination:** The target landing site was Malapert A on the Moon.
- **Jettison:** EagleCam was successfully jettisoned from the IM-1 lander on February 28, 2024.

### Operational Challenges
Following its deployment on February 28, 2024, the mission encountered a significant technical failure. Reports indicated a failure in the Wi-Fi system intended to transmit data from the CubeSat. This event occurred shortly after the IM-1 mission had successfully landed on the Moon on February 22, 2024.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/eaglecam.htm)
2. [Source](https://erau.edu/eaglecam)
3. Jonathan's Space Report
4. [Source](https://spacenews.com/intuitive-machines-lands-on-the-moon/)
5. [Intuitive Machines calls IM-1 a successful moon-landing mission. Spectrum News. 2024](https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/space/2024/02/28/intuitive-machines-im-1-mission-update)
6. [Source](https://www.space.com/spacex-launch-im-1-private-moon-landing-mission)