Intuitive Machines Faces Setback as Odysseus Lander Lands Sideways on Moon
In a historic first for a private company, Intuitive Machines successfully landed its Odysseus lander on the Moon. However, what was initially hailed as a successful mission took a turn when CEO Steve Altemus revealed that the lander had actually landed on its side.
The company had initially claimed victory, stating that the lander had landed safely and was in good condition. However, as time passed without any photos or evidence to support these claims, doubts began to emerge.
During a press conference in Houston, Altemus demonstrated with a model how he believed the lander had tripped on a rock and landed on its side. Despite the setback, he assured that the mission was not ruined and that experiments were still being carried out.
The Odysseus lander is located near the Malapert A crater, a dangerous region full of craters and cliffs believed to contain frozen water. The location was chosen for its potential resource value for future space exploration.
Despite the setback, the mission has not been a complete failure. With ongoing experiments and plans to retrieve images of the lander on the Moon’s surface, Intuitive Machines remains hopeful for the success of the mission.
After an initial surge in the stock market following the moon landing, Intuitive Machines’ shares took a hit as news of the landing setback spread. The company now faces the challenge of recovering from this setback and continuing its mission on the Moon.