FILE-Credit: © USA TODAY illustration; NASA and Intuitive Machines images / USA TODAY NETWORK
(Houston, TX) – The Odysseus spacecraft which landed on the moon Thursday night wound up landing on its side.
Intuitive Machines is a private company built the spacecraft. Company officials say one of the spacecraft’s feet likely got caught and tripped itself during the landing. Antennas were pointed toward the surface, limiting flight controllers ability to communicate and get the right data. But the company says the craft still has operational capability despite being tipped over.
The spacecraft is collecting data in advance of NASA’s plan for a crewed mission to the area in about two years. It will do so until losing power.
