Ars Technica reports, “Firefly Aerospace became the first commercial company to make a picture-perfect landing on the Moon early Sunday, touching down on an ancient basaltic plain, named Mare Crisium, to fulfill a $101 million contract with NASA. The lunar lander, called Blue Ghost, settled onto the Moon’s surface at 2:34 am CST (3:34 am EST; 08:34 UTC). A few dozen engineers in Firefly’s mission control room monitored real-time data streaming down from a quarter-million miles away.”
Full Story (Ars Technica)
Tag: moon landing
Intuitive Machines’ Moon Lander Lying on Its Side but Still Functional
The New York Times reports “The Odysseus spacecraft was drifting horizontally as it set down, and a landing strut may have hit an obstacle on the surface….
Full Story (New York Times – Subscription Publication)
Intuitive Machines’ Lunar Lander Enters Moon’s Orbit Ahead of Landing Attempt
The Washington Post reports, “The Odysseus spacecraft, developed by Intuitive Machines, is vying to become the first U.S. vehicle to land on the moon in more than 50 years. The spacecraft, developed by Intuitive Machines, was in ‘excellent health,’ the … company said, circling the moon at an altitude of about 57 miles, as it made its preparations to land on the moon Thursday at 5:30 p.m. Eastern time.”
Full Story (The Washington Post – Subscription Publication)
Watch Live via NASA TV
5 p.m. — Coverage of Intuitive Machines-1 lunar landing. Landing scheduled for 6:24 p.m
NASA Live: Official Stream of NASA TV
Intuitive Machines’ Lunar Lander ‘Odysseus’ to Land on the Moon Thursday
Flying Magazine reports that Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C robotic lunar lander “Odysseus” is on track to execute the first U.S. moon landing in more than 50 years on Thursday. The lander is expected to touch down on the moon Thursday at 5:49 p.m. EST. The article describes what to expect.
Full Story (Flying Magazine)
Watch Live via NASA TV
5 p.m. — Coverage of Intuitive Machines-1 lunar landing. Landing scheduled for 6:24 p.m
NASA Live: Official Stream of NASA TV
NASA’s Moon Landing with Intuitive Machines to Help Pave Way for Artemis Astronaut Missions
SPACE reports that SpaceX will launch Intuitive Machines’ robotic lander toward the moon on Feb. 14. Here’s how the mission will help NASA prep for crewed moon missions “a few years from now.”
Full Story (SPACE)
NASA’s Moon Landing with Intuitive Machines to Help Pave Way for Artemis Astronaut Missions
SPACE reports that SpaceX will launch Intuitive Machines’ robotic lander toward the moon on Feb. 14. Here’s how the mission will help NASA prep for crewed moon missions “a few years from now.”
Full Story (SPACE)
AIAA Statement on the Indian Space Research Organisation Chandrayaan-3 Mission
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 24, 2023 – Reston, Va. – The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) Executive Director Dan Dumbacher made the following statement:
“Congratulations to the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) on its successful landing at the south pole of the moon! We were thrilled watching the Chandrayaan-3 mission unfold in real time. We will be eagerly following the progress of the rover, Pragyan, and the ongoing mission in the coming days.
As the professional technical society for aerospace engineers, our members appreciate and understand the difficulty of this mission’s engineering challenges. Safely landing on the moon is a challenge and to reach the lunar south pole is an even greater accomplishment.
The ISRO team’s resilience is admirable. The Chandrayaan team has persevered over time to continue advancing its lunar exploration program. They have reached an historic milestone making India the fourth spacefaring nation to land on the moon. AIAA is honored to support the four AIAA student branches at universities in India and about 400 AIAA members across India.
We applaud India’s commitment to a safe, peaceful, and prosperous future in space, especially as it joined the Artemis Accords earlier this year. We believe the Artemis Accords establish important principles to guide cooperation among nations exploring space, including those participating in NASA’s Artemis program. As we expand the human neighborhood in low Earth orbit and beyond to the surface of the moon and cislunar space, we see the vital need for this type of cooperation among countries and industries.
On behalf of the 30,000 professional and student members of AIAA, we recognize the professionals in the aerospace industry involved in making this mission a success. We salute and applaud the ISRO team for making important contributions to shaping the future of aerospace.”
AIAA Media Contact: Rebecca Gray, [email protected], 804-397-5270 cell
About AIAA
The American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics (AIAA) is the world’s largest aerospace technical society. With nearly 30,000 individual members from 91 countries, and 100 corporate members, AIAA brings together industry, academia, and government to advance engineering and science in aviation, space, and defense. For more information, visit aiaa.org, and follow AIAA on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, and Instagram.