Intuitive Machines’ Odysseus lunar lander, launched by SpaceX’s Falcon 9 on February 15, has captured stunning images of Earth as it journeys towards the Moon. The lander completed two engine burns in deep space on February 16 and February 18, putting it on course to reach the lunar surface by February 22.
The next critical step for Intuitive Machines is to achieve “lunar orbit insertion” on February 21, where the lander will orbit the Moon. Odysseus is aiming for a specific crater about 190 miles from the Moon’s south pole, the same area where NASA plans to land astronauts under the Artemis program, specifically with Artemis 3 in 2026.
Equipped with six NASA instruments, Odysseus will collect valuable data on the lunar landing and surface upon its successful touchdown. If Intuitive Machines can achieve a safe landing on February 22, it will mark the first private moon lander to reach the Moon.
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