WASHINGTON: As the world celebrates the return of the US on the Moon after more than 50 years, space agency NASA is thrilled that its science instruments and technology demonstrations are functioning well on the lunar surface. Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, known as Odysseus, is operational, collecting solar power and transmitting data to mission control in Houston, US.
Carrying six NASA science research and technology demonstrations, Odysseus’ surface operations are ongoing and expected to continue until February 29. NASA instruments will focus on investigating lunar surface interactions and radio astronomy now that they are on the lunar surface.
The ‘Lunar Node 1 Navigation Demonstrator’ will demonstrate autonomous navigation that could be used by future landers, surface infrastructure, and astronauts, digitally confirming their positions on the Moon relative to other spacecraft, ground stations, or rovers on the move. The ‘Laser Retroreflector Array’ will enable precision laser ranging, functioning as a permanent location marker on the Moon for years to come.
The ‘Radio Frequency Mass Gauge’ measures propellant in spacecraft tanks in a low-gravity space environment. It will provide data that could help predict fuel usage on future missions. The ‘Radio-wave Observations at the Lunar Surface of the Photoelectron Sheath’ instrument will observe the Moon’s surface environment in radio frequencies, to determine potential interference with science conducted there.
‘Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies’ aims to capture imagery showing how the Moon’s surface changes from interactions with the spacecraft’s engine plume during and after descent. The lunar delivery is in the region where NASA will send astronauts to search for water and other lunar resources later this decade, as part of the Artemis campaign.
