Context: 

Recently, SpaceX launched Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida carrying the private Odysseus moon lander built by Houston-based Intuitive Machines. 

• The Nova-C lander was deployed from the lander and is now on its way to the moon.

Earlier Such Privately-led Attempts

• Israel’s Beresheet in 2019, Japan’s Hakuto in 2023 and the American Peregrine in 2024. However, all of them failed to land on the Moon.

About the IM-1 Mission: Odysseus Moon Lander

• NASA selected Intuitive Machines to build a lander as part of the space agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services Initiative (CLPS), in which a commercial firm receives a contract. 
• Aim of the Mission: To place Odysseus moon lander at crater Malapert A near the lunar south pole. 
• Payloads: Odysseus carries five NASA payloads, and commercial cargo. 
  • Lander: It is equipped with solar panels which will allow it to generate 200 Watts of power on the lunar surface. 
  • Main Engine: It is placed at the bottom of Odysseus, uses liquid methane as fuel, and liquid oxygen as oxidiser.
• Mission Life: It will have a mission life of 14 Earth days, in the presence of sunlight. 
• Functions: 
  • Study interactions between the lunar surface and plumes, which are clouds of gas. 
  • Conduct Radio Astronomy Experiments
  • Demonstrate precision landing technologies, and exhibit communication and navigation mode capabilities. 
• Future Implication: It will provide insights into the lunar surface environment paving the way for Starship’s Human Landing System putting the first NASA Artemis astronauts on the Moon. 

News Source: The Indian Express