# Intuitive Machines-1

> lunar lander built by Intuitive Machines targeting the Malapert-A crater on the Moon

**Wikidata**: [Q112959040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q112959040)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intuitive-machines-1

## Summary
Intuitive Machines-1 (IM-1), also known as Odysseus or Odie, was a lunar lander mission built by Intuitive Machines that successfully landed on the Moon on February 22, 2024. It was the first commercial spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface and the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972. The mission targeted Malapert A crater near the Moon's south pole.

## Key Facts
- Launched on February 15, 2024, at 06:05 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket (B1060.18)
- Landed on February 22, 2024, at 23:23 UTC in Malapert A crater at coordinates -80.13° latitude, 1.44° longitude
- Weighed 1,908 kg at launch (including fuel) with a dry weight of 675 kg
- Powered by solar cells (200W) and a VR900 battery
- Carried NASA payloads and EagleCam as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program
- Operated for approximately one week before entering hibernation on February 29, 2024
- Mission officially terminated on March 23, 2024
- Also known by aliases: IM-1, Odysseus, TO2-IM, CLPS-2, Odie, Odiseo

## FAQs
### Q: What was the purpose of the IM-1 mission?
A: IM-1 was a commercial lunar mission designed to deliver NASA and commercial payloads to the Moon's south polar region. It aimed to demonstrate commercial lunar landing capabilities and conduct scientific research, particularly in preparation for future Artemis program missions.

### Q: Did IM-1 successfully land on the Moon?
A: Yes, IM-1 successfully landed on the Moon on February 22, 2024, making it the first commercial spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the lunar surface. However, the lander experienced a landing anomaly and came to rest on its side, which affected some of its operational capabilities.

### Q: How long did the IM-1 mission last?
A: The IM-1 mission lasted approximately one week from landing to hibernation. After landing on February 22, the spacecraft operated until February 29, 2024, when it entered hibernation due to the lunar night. The mission was officially terminated on March 23, 2024.

## Why It Matters
Intuitive Machines-1 represents a significant milestone in commercial spaceflight and lunar exploration. As the first commercial spacecraft to successfully land on the Moon, it demonstrated the viability of private companies participating in lunar missions, potentially reducing costs and increasing access to lunar services for both government and commercial customers. The mission's success came after several previous commercial lunar landing attempts had failed, proving that private industry could overcome the challenges of lunar landing. IM-1's landing near the Moon's south pole is particularly significant as this region is of high interest for future human exploration due to the potential presence of water ice in permanently shadowed craters. The mission also marked the United States' return to the lunar surface after more than 50 years, supporting NASA's broader Artemis program goals of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon. By successfully delivering multiple payloads and operating scientific instruments, IM-1 provided valuable data about the lunar environment and demonstrated technologies that will be crucial for future missions.

## Notable For
- First commercial spacecraft to achieve a soft landing on the Moon
- First U.S. spacecraft to land on the Moon since Apollo 17 in 1972
- Successfully landed near the Moon's south pole, a region of strategic importance for future exploration
- Demonstrated the viability of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program
- Operated for approximately one week despite landing on its side, exceeding initial expectations

## Body
### Mission Overview
Intuitive Machines-1 was the first mission of Intuitive Machines' Nova-C lunar lander design, developed under NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The mission launched on February 15, 2024, as part of NASA's strategy to engage commercial partners for lunar delivery services. The spacecraft was named "Odysseus" and nicknamed "Odie" by the mission team.

### Technical Specifications
The Nova-C lander measured approximately 4.0 meters in height and 1.6 meters in width. It was powered by solar cells providing 200W of power and a VR900 battery system for energy storage. The spacecraft carried approximately 100 kg of payload capacity and was equipped with various scientific instruments, communication systems, and navigation equipment.

### Launch and Transit
IM-1 launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A. The launch vehicle was identified as B1060.18, marking its 18th flight. The spacecraft followed a direct trajectory to the Moon, taking approximately seven days to reach lunar orbit before beginning its descent sequence.

### Landing Sequence
The landing occurred on February 22, 2024, at 23:23 UTC in Malapert A crater. During the final descent phase, the spacecraft experienced a navigation sensor issue that was overcome by using NASA's Navigation Doppler Lidar as a backup. However, the lander touched down harder than planned and came to rest on its side, with one of its feet caught on a rock or surface irregularity.

### Operational Period
Despite the landing anomaly, IM-1 successfully deployed its solar panels and began operations. The spacecraft transmitted valuable scientific data and images back to Earth during its operational period. As the lunar night approached, the extreme cold temperatures (-130°C) posed a threat to the spacecraft's electronics and batteries. The mission team placed Odysseus into hibernation mode on February 29, 2024, with hopes of potentially reawakening the lander after the two-week lunar night.

### Mission Conclusion
Intuitive Machines officially declared the IM-1 mission complete on March 23, 2024, after attempts to re-establish communications following the lunar night proved unsuccessful. The mission was considered a success despite the landing anomaly, as it achieved the primary objective of being the first commercial soft landing on the Moon and delivered valuable scientific data from the lunar south polar region.

### Scientific Contributions
IM-1 carried multiple NASA payloads including instruments to study plume-surface interactions, radio astronomy, precision landing technologies, and lunar surface interactions. The mission provided data about the lunar environment in the south polar region, which is crucial for planning future human missions under the Artemis program. The EagleCam payload, developed by Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, was designed to deploy during descent to capture images of the landing, though deployment was ultimately not possible due to the landing orientation.

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nova-c_im1.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=IM-1-NOVA)
4. [Source](https://spacenews.com/intuitive-machines-lands-on-the-moon/)
5. [Intuitive Machines IM-1 On The Moon!. Arizona State University. 2024](https://www.lroc.asu.edu/posts/1360)
6. [Odysseus lunar lander shares new photos from its harrowing descent. CNN. 2024](https://www.cnn.com/2024/02/26/world/odysseus-new-moon-photos-descent-landing-site-scn/index.html)
7. [Source](https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2024-02-29/intuitive-machines-will-try-to-wake-up-odysseus-when-the-icy-lunar-night-passes.html)
8. [Source](https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/us-moon-lander-odysseus-nears-shutdown-week-after-sideways-landing-2024-02-29/)
9. [Source](https://x.com/Int_Machines/status/1771609255616909738)
10. [Source](http://www.collectspace.com/ubb/Forum18/HTML/001838.html)
11. [Source](https://www.intuitivemachines.com/_files/ugd/7c27f7_51f84ee63ea744a9b7312d17fefa9606.pdf)