Watch Odysseus try the primary US Moon touchdown since 1972 at 6:24PM ET

International Courant

The mission, formally referred to as IM-1, is carrying scientific cargo to assist NASA be taught extra concerning the Moon’s floor earlier than NASA’s Artemis program brings individuals again to the Moon in 2025. It brings a laser retroreflector array to assist different spacecraft make precision landings and a radio navigation beacon to offer geolocation knowledge to landers, rovers, and finally astronauts.

Odysseus is the primary privately owned spacecraft to realize its purpose after the Astrobotic Peregrine lander, launched by United Launch Alliance final month, failed to achieve the Moon.

Replace February twenty second, 6:54PM ET: Up to date to notice Odysseus has reached the Moon’s floor.

Watch Odysseus try the primary US Moon touchdown since 1972 at 6:24PM ET

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