The spacecraft engine passed the launch test
Intuitive Machines' Odysseus robotic spacecraft took several selfies with Earth in the background shortly after its successful launch on February 15 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. Just two days later, on February 17, the company shared photos of the moment on social media. networks.
«Odysseus» has already begun its mission, called IM-1, in which it will conduct experiments and technology demonstrations, as well as deliver six commercial payloads to the Moon. This is not the first attempt under the Artemis Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program; last month, Astrobotic's Peregrine lunar lander was successfully launched on a United Launch Alliance Vulcan Centaur rocket. However, despite the successful launch, after separation from the upper stage of the rocket, Peregrine developed a fuel leak. The lander never reached the lunar surface, and its operators decided to destroy it in the Earth's atmosphere on January 18.
Fate «Odyssey» turned out better. According to information provided by Intuitive Machines, the lander is operational and in communication with mission control as it moves toward the Moon for a planned attempt to land on the Moon's surface on February 22. All systems, including the engine, successfully passed the decisive test in outer space.
One of the features of the «Odyssey» mission consists of an engine running on liquid methane and liquid oxygen. This type of engine was launched into space for the first time by Intuitive Machines as part of the current mission. According to the company, all tests, including full main engine engagement and throttle profile, were successful.
If Intuitive Machines' lunar landing attempt is successful, it will be a historic event, as no private spacecraft has ever soft-landed on the Moon before.
The same fuel combination is used in the Raptor engines that power SpaceX's giant new Starship rocket. Starship, designed to carry humans to the Moon and Mars, is preparing for its third test flight, which could take place in the coming weeks.