You will get Intuitive Machine 1 Nova-C Updates or IM 1 Live Status or Odysseus Update for every significant milestone as they progress towards landing on the moon. Intuitive Machines is a company and Nova-C is a class of lunar lander designed and developed by Intuitive Machines.
Intuitive Machines (IM) named their first lunar lander for the IM-1 mission with the name “Odysseus”, also identified by alternative names such as “TO2-IM” and “CLPS TO2-IM”.
Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 was launched by Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket on February 15, 2024, at 1:05 AM EST or 15 February 2024 at 6:35 AM IST (Indian Standard Time) and it’s set to touch down on the Moon around 4:30 PM CST on February 22 or 3:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time) on February 22nd, 2024. The landing spot is aimed at the Malapert-A crater, located approximately 300 kilometers (190 miles) from the southern pole of the Moon.
NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program picked Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C to transport five NASA payloads and commercial cargo, contributing crucial support to the Artemis lunar program.
| NASA Payloads | Commercial Payloads |
|---|---|
| Lunar Node 1 Navigation Demonstrator (LN-1) | SPACEBIT Rover |
| Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies (SCALPSS) | EagleCAM |
| Low-frequency Radio Observations for the Near Side Lunar Surface (ROLSES) | ILO-X Telescope |
| Navigation Doppler Lidar for Precise Velocity and Range Sensing (NDL) | Tiger Eye |
| Radio Frequency Mass Gauging (RFMG) | Galactic Legacy Labs (GLL) |
| Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) |
Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates or Odysseus Update
15/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Lander Launched
Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Lander Launched by Falcon 9 Rocket of SpaceX from Florida on 15 February 2024 at 1:05 AM EST or 15 February 2024 at 6:35 AM IST (Indian Standard Time). It was successfully deployed in space and has established radio communication with the Company’s IM 1 Nova-C mission operations center in Houston.
The Nova-C class lunar lander of the IM-1 mission is in excellent condition following a minor health issue, and it is now undergoing preparations for the commissioning maneuver of Odysseus.
16/02/2024 IM 1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
In a significant milestone for the IM-1 mission, the Intuitive Machines flight controllers have successfully executed the first firing of the liquid methane and liquid oxygen engine in space. This crucial step marks the completion of the IM-1 mission engine commissioning.
The engine ignition involved a comprehensive mainstage engine burn at full thrust and a crucial throttle-down profile essential for the upcoming lunar landing. As the Nova-C class lunar lander continues to showcase excellent health and stability, it stays on course for the anticipated lunar landing scheduled for the afternoon of February 22. Over the next eight hours, diligent flight controllers will meticulously analyze the data collected from the engine burn, even though the spacecraft is positioned over 270,000 km away from Earth.
17/02/2024 IM 1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
On February 16, 2024, Intuitive Machines achieved a significant milestone by successfully transmitting its first image from the IM-1 mission back to Earth. These images were captured shortly after the separation from SpaceX’s second stage. On February 17th, Intuitive Machines released the initial images from the IM-1 Mission to the public.
18/02/2024 IM 1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
Odysseus remains in optimal condition, and flight controllers are gearing up for scheduled trajectory correction maneuvers to ready the lander for lunar orbit insertion. Intuitive Machines anticipates executing the lunar orbit insertion on February 21st, paving the way for a lunar landing opportunity in the afternoon of the 22nd.
19/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates
Flight controllers have received and analyzed data from the engine Commissioning Maneuver (CM) conducted on February 16th. The data from the 21-second full-thrust mainstage engine CM has confirmed that Odysseus successfully reached its 21 m/s target with approximately 0.8 m/s accuracy. On February 18th, flight controllers initiated the lander’s first planned trajectory correction maneuver, igniting the lander’s engine for the second time.
They are now in the planning phase for the anticipated final required maneuver before Odysseus faces its largest challenge to date: lunar orbit insertion, expected on Wednesday, February 21st. The landing time has been updated, and Intuitive Machines anticipates landing on the Moon at 4:49 PM CST on Thursday, February 22nd, or 04:19 AM IST (India Standard Time) on Friday, February 23rd.
20/02/2024 IM 1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
Intuitive Machines’ flight controllers executed the second planned Trajectory Correction Maneuver (TCM) for the IM-1 mission with such precision that the originally scheduled third TCM engine firing is no longer required.
The TCM, conducted for 8 seconds at 2:00 PM CST on February 20, or 1:30 AM IST (Indian Standard Time) on February 21, marks the final maneuver before Odysseus faces its most significant challenge to date: Lunar Orbit Insertion (LOI), scheduled for February 21, 2024. Odysseus remains in excellent health, positioned approximately 68,000 km from the Moon.
21/02/2024 IM1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
Nova C Lander Successfully Enters Lunar Orbit After Lunar Orbit Insertion Maneuver –
Nova C Odysseus Lander has successfully executed its planned 408-second main engine burn for lunar orbit insertion, establishing a stable 92 km circular lunar orbit. Preliminary data suggests that the 800 m/s burn was accomplished with a remarkable accuracy of within 2 m/s. –21/02/24 09:20 AM CST or 21/02/24 8:50 PM IST
Update on Landing Trajectory
Flight controllers reviewed the data from the engine burn following the Lunar Orbit Insertion and revised the expected timing for upcoming flight maneuvers. A potential landing opportunity at 1630 CST is now anticipated. The lander remains in optimal condition, orbiting at an altitude of approximately 92 km above the lunar surface. 21/02/24 4:45 PM CST or 21/02/24 04:15 AM IST
Terrain Relative Navigation Imaging
The Terrain Relative Navigation camera on Odysseus captured this image of the Bel’kovich K crater located in the northern equatorial highlands of the Moon. This crater has an estimated diameter of around 50 km and features central mountains. 21/02/24 5:50 PM CST or 21/02/24 5:50 PM IST
22/02/2024 IM1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
Flight controllers instructed a lunar correction maneuver to elevate Odysseus’ orbit during the night and revised the expected landing time to 3:24 PM CST on 23/02/2024 or 02:54 IST(Indian Standard Time) on 23/02/2024.
Flight controllers team have opted to conduct an extra orbit before initiating the landing sequence for the IM-1 Mission. The revised anticipated landing time is now 5:24 PM CST 22 February or 5:54 AM IST 23 February.
watch live landing of Nova C Lander
22/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Landed on Moon
Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Landed on the Moon at 5:23 p.m. CST on 22 February or 4:53 a.m. IST on February 23rd. The landing spot is the Malapert-A crater near the southern pole of the moon. Further details will be provided in the update.
23/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates
Odysseus is in good health and functioning properly. Flight controllers are actively communicating with the vehicle and issuing commands for the retrieval of scientific data. The lander is providing reliable telemetry, and its solar charging system is operational. Regularly visit for Odysseus Update.
24/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates
On February 22, 2024, the Odysseus lunar lander from Intuitive Machines photographed Schomberger crater on the Moon with a wide field of view. The image was captured at an altitude of around 6 miles (10 km) and was approximately 125 miles (200 km) away from the originally planned landing site.
During a televised media teleconference on February 23, nearly 24 hours after the IM-1 mission’s lunar landing, Intuitive Machines officials reported that the Nova-C lunar lander likely tipped over upon touchdown on the moon on February 22. They stated that the lander, measuring 4.3 meters in height and 1.6 meters in diameter, is now positioned on its side. The location of the lander is believed to be a few kilometers away from its planned landing site near the Malapert A crater in the south polar regions of the moon.
26/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates
Odysseus, continuing its communication with the Nova Control flight controllers from the lunar surface, is expected to maintain contact until Tuesday morning. Transmitting images of its vertical descent to the Malapert A landing site, it has successfully landed at 80.13°S and 1.44°E, achieving the southernmost landing on the Moon with ground controller communication established.
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera team verified the landing location at an elevation of 2579 meters, confirming Odysseus’ precise landing within 1.5 km of the intended Malapert A site after a journey of over 600,000 miles.
27/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates
The Flight Controllers team remains in constant communication with Odysseus. Earlier today, Odysseus successfully transmitted scientific data and images in alignment with the Company’s mission goals. The team is currently in the process of determining the final battery life of the lander, and this assessment may extend for an additional 10-20 hours.
This images represent the most detailed observations from any spaceflight mission of the Moon’s south pole region. Odysseus showcased its impressive photography skills, capturing this image from a proximity of around 30 meters above the lunar surface, all while its main engine decelerated from speeds exceeding 24,000 mph. Another day of exploration unfolds in the Moon’s south pole region.
28/02/2024 Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C Updates
The team operating Odysseus continues to produce solar power on the Moon, allowing the flight control team to persist in gathering data from the south pole region as they advance the objectives of the IM-1 Mission.
Flight controllers are examining recent solar charging data and utilizing the extra time to optimize tasks that advance future exploration.
28/02/2024 NASA Press Conference Intuitive Machines 1 Nova Image Release
This image, taken by the lander on February 27, shows Odysseus’ landing strut in action during its touchdown on the Moon on February 22, effectively absorbing the initial impact with the lunar surface. At the same time, the lander’s liquid methane and liquid oxygen engine was actively adjusting its thrust to ensure stability. According to the Company, the combination of these two key functions, as depicted in the image, allowed Odysseus to make a controlled and gentle landing, ensuring its capability to send back scientific data.
On February 27th, flight controllers instructed Odysseus to take a new photo using its narrow-field-of-view camera, following earlier attempts that resulted in unclear images from the landing and subsequent days. Once the image was successfully sent back to Earth, flight controllers gained further understanding of Odysseus’ location on the Moon’s surface.
29/02/2024 IM 1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
Intuitive Machines 1 Nova-C lander Odysseus stopped working, and the lander managed to send an image which was received today, an image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop.
Stay in Orbit for the latest IM 1 Mission Updates or Odysseus Update
This post is updated once a day. For more information please visit the official X page of IM 1 mission.
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