BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — In the first update since the Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander touched down on the moon, we learned the lander named Odysseus tipped onto its side.
▶ WATCH CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS
On Thursday, Odysseus became the first commercial spacecraft to land on the moon.
It made a soft if imperfect landing at 6:24 pm EST.
Read: 2024 hurricane season fewer than 100 days away; see how to prepare early
There were some technical issues along the way.
A problem with the lander’s navigation system forced the lander to rely on some experimental NASA technology to land near the lunar south pole, the navigation doppler lidar or NDL was used.
Read: Scientists announce discovery of ‘very strange Chinese dragon’ fossil
Odysseus is carrying 5 other NASA science instruments, commercial payloads, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University’s EagleCam.
The lander is expected to be operational for about seven days.
Steve Altemus, the CEO of Intuitive Machines said today, “the vehicle is stable and near our intended landing site and we do have communications with the lander.”
Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.