The lunar module “Odyssey” (also known as “Odie” or IM-1) has successfully embarked on its journey to the moon. The launch took place on the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 1:05 am Eastern American time on Thursday from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, managed by NASA. Originally scheduled for Wednesday, the launch was delayed a day due to issues with the rocket fuel temperature.
The “Odyssey” is designed for a soft landing in the South Pole region of the moon, believed to contain water ice reserves, making it a key area of interest for scientists exploring potential valuable resources for future space missions.
The spaceship, nicknamed ODIE, is roughly the size of a telephone booth. Onboard the Odyssey are six scientific and technological instruments from NASA, including Doppler Lidar for navigation to enhance landing accuracy and equipment for studying lunar plasma. These experiments aim to lay the groundwork for future crewed missions to the moon and potential utilization of lunar resources.
The Odyssey is set to land on February 22 and spend approximately seven days on the moon. During its mission, it will collect data and capture photographs using the EagleCam camera system developed by students. The information gathered will be crucial for preparing manned missions as part of the Artemis program.
The flight of the Odyssey marks the beginning of a new chapter in lunar and space exploration, showcasing the potential for utilizing lunar resources to advance further into the universe.