The U.S.-built spacecraft Odysseus landed on the moon but tipped over just before touchdown, resting horizontally on its side on the lunar surface. Despite this, the lander still has operational capability. Evidence of its orientation comes from the power generated by its solar array, suggesting it is elevated off the surface. Intuitive Machines, the Houston-based company that built Odysseus, plans to take photos to assess the situation further. The company became the first private business to successfully land on the moon, while other attempts by different countries and companies have been unsuccessful in the past. Odysseus will continue to collect data for NASA’s Artemis program as the agency prepares to send astronauts back to the lunar surface for the first time since the last Apollo mission. Landing on the moon is challenging, as demonstrated by previous failed attempts by other countries and companies. The lunar lander’s incident follows a fuel leak on another U.S. company’s lunar lander, which resulted in it burning up in the atmosphere. The mission highlights the difficulties and risks associated with sending spacecraft to the moon.
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Moon lander tips over on lunar surface
