API VERSION: 1.2 API SOURCE: NASA/JPL Horizons API ******************************************************************************* Revised: Feb 20, 2024 IM-1 (Odysseus) / (Moon) -229 https://www.intuitivemachines.com/im-1 https://science.nasa.gov/science-research/science-enabling-technology/deploying-and-demonstrating-navigation-aids-on-the-lunar-surface/ NOTE: Deviations from plan Feb 21-22 mean the trajectory prediction here after LOI on Feb 21 is not correct. Will update if IM provides data for the actual trajectory achieved. BACKGROUND Intuitive Machine's Nova-C class IM-1 lunar lander "Odysseus" launched February 15, 2024 @ 06:05 UTC from LC-39A at Cape Canaveral (USA) on a SpaceX Falcon 9. It was the first commercial lunar lander by a private company, and was selected through NASA's CLPS initiative. It landed on the Moon 2024-Feb-22 @ 23:24 UTC and is planned to operate for about 7 days after touchdown (until local sunset), though operating on its side, about 300 km from the south pole at crater Malapert A. This is close to the Malapert Massif, a candidate landing zone for NASA's Artemis III manned-mission. The Falcon 9 second stage placed the spacecraft into a ~220 km circular Earth orbit. After ~35 minutes of coasting, the second stage then propelled Odysseus into a Trans-Lunar Orbit (TLO) intercepting the Moon's orbit. Deployment of the spacecraft occured 48 minutes and 29 seconds after launch when the second stage used spring force to push the lander away. Odysseus made three small adjustment burns en route before the TLO trajectory took IM-1 behind the Moon. The main engine autonomous Lunar Orbit Injection (LOI) burn placed Odysseus into a near-circular 92-km Low-Lunar Orbit. The autonomous Descent Orbit Burn took place on the far side of the Moon and reduced the craft's orbit to 10 kilometers above the landing site. The craft then coasted for an hour before powered descent. The Nova-C class main engine is designed to burn continuously throughout the powered descent. The lander was slowed by 1,800 meters per second, then pitched over to assume landing attitude when 30 meters above the lunar surface, before bringing the craft to a landing. Telemetry indicated the spacecraft came to rest on its side. PURPOSE The mission' primary objective is to deliver a variety of payloads to the Moon's south pole region, a part of the Moon that remains unexplored and is a target for later NASA Artemis manned missions. These payloads include scientific instruments and technology demonstrations that aim to inform future human and robotic exploration of the Moon. SPACECRAFT Hexagonal cylinder 4.3 m tall, 1.57 m wide, on six landing legs. Launch mass : 1908 kg Solar panels : ~200 Watts PROPULSION Liquid methane and liquid oxygen ISP > 320 sec. SCIENCE INSTRUMENTS NASA ROLSES: Radio Observations of the Lunar Surface Photoelectron Sheath LRA: Laser Retro-Reflector Array NDL: Navigation Doppler Lidar for Precise Velocity and Range Sensing SCALPSS: Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies LN-1: Lunar Node 1 Navigation Demonstrator (S-band navigation beacon) RFMG: Radio Frequency Mass Gauge statement Commerical Columbia Sportswear: Omni-heat infinity thermal material Embry-Riddle: Eaglecam Jeff Koons: Moon Phases (125 artwork items) International Lunar Observatory Association: ILO-X Galactic Legacy Labs: LUNAPRISE Lonestar Data Holdings Inc. SPACECRAFT TRAJECTORY: Post-launch trajectory from Intuitive Machines File name Begins (TDB) Ends (TDB) ---------------------------------------- ----------------- ----------------- LND1_n229-Feb15.v2 2024-Feb-15 06:06 2024-Feb-15 19:53 IM1-Post_CM_Trajectory_24011700700CST 2024-Feb-15 19:53 2024-Feb-17 12:30 IM1-DRM7.2.5_TCM1-reconstruct_with_BE3D 2024-Feb-17 12:30 2024-Feb-20 15:00 IM1_TCM3_LOI_KXODvec5-F8E9-0200pmTIG 2024-Feb-20 15:00 2024-Feb-22 22:49 ******************************************************************************* No ephemeris for target "IM-1 (spacecraft)" after A.D. 2024-FEB-22 22:48:59.9997 UT