#Space #NASA #Moon

An ancestor of the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program is NextSTEP, which began in 2014 during the #Obama administration. The idea was to seek "commercial development of new capabilities for human missions in deep space."

Here we are, ten years later, and a successor to this pioneer program is about to attempt a robotic lunar landing.

More about NextSTEP at the link.

https://www.nasa.gov/humans-in-space/nextstep/

#Space #NASA #Moon

Not to be a Debbie Downer / Gloomy Gus / Eeyore / pick your analogy, but a reminder that #IM1 #Odysseus is a demonstration mission. The private sector is allowed to fail, to help us move faster overall with the goal of bringing down the cost as well as advancing the U.S. space industry.

Hopefully all goes well, but remember that failure is an option. Other companies will be attempting their own landings in the future.

#Space #NASA #Moon

BREAKING #CNN reports there's a problem with the #Odysseus navigation systems, so the lunar lander will use the sensors on NASA's Navigation Doppler LIDAR mounted on the lander.

Public-Private Partnership at its best!

#Space #NASA #Moon

LIDAR is an acronym for Light Detection and Ranging.

Here's a February 5 NASA article about the Navigation Doppler Lidar (NDL). Expect the commentators to refer to NDL in the webcast.

https://www.nasa.gov/centers-and-facilities/langley/nasas-laser-navigation-tech-enables-commercial-lunar-exploration/

#Space #NASA #Moon

This 90-second NASA video about NDL was uploaded to YouTube on February 5. This is the system #Odysseus will use to attempt lunar landing, targeting 6:24 PM EST.

The NASA webcast just said the the default #Odysseus navigation system "is not working."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xjx3XhHouKY

#Space #NASA #Moon

The NASA webcast is playing that above video right now!

#Space #NASA #Moon

Anyone who's seen the "Apollo 13" movie knows that the crew used the lunar module as a lifeboat. The LM's descent engine became the primary engine for burns to return to Earth.

#IM1 #Odysseus is about to use NASA's NDR backup landing navigation test system to replace the lander's non-functioning navigation system.

Steely eyed missile people!

#Space #NASA #Moon #Odysseus #IM1

From #CNN: NASA Administrator Bill Nelson says the descent burn is targeting 6:00 PM EST, with a landing targeting 6:24 PM EST. If they have to wave off, the next try would be at about 8:30 PM EST. "But that would be the last chance that they would have to land."

(Unclear to me if he means the last chance tonight, or the last chance period.)

https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/nasa-odysseus-moon-landing-intuitive-machines-scn/index.html

Nicky Fox on NASA TV! She's a buddy. 😊

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1 #Odysseus

Five minutes until the landing burn. Last chance to go pee. 😉

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1 #Odysseus

Fun fact ... #CNN space reporter Kristin Fisher is the daughter of former NASA astronaut Anna Fisher, the first "mother in space."

#Space #NASA #Moon

The landing burn has begun. As the webcast is reporting, #IM1 #Odysseus is an "autonomous lunar lander."

On the #CNN telecast, former NASA Mae Jemison astronaut is providing commentary along with #StarTrek William Shatner, who spends a lot more time behind the scenes with NASA people than you might suspect. 😉

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1

Intuitive Machines reports all is nominal with #Odysseus. Less than six minutes until targeted landing time.

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1

T-3 minutes until #Odysseus targeted landing time.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dg2ffigGcYM

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1 #Odysseus

"C'mon, rookie, park that thing."

-- From "Apollo 13"

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1 #Odysseus

Telemetry shows that #Odysseus is searching for a landing site. Altitude is 1,000 meters.

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1 #Odysseus

"Less than one minute remaining until touchdown."

#Space #NASA #Moon #IM1 #Odysseus

Waiting for landing confirmation ...

@WordsmithFL more than likely last chance today. They would need the orbit to sync up with the landing location due to Delta-V issues

@Kinnison I hope so. Waiting for official confirmation. We'll find out at 6:10 PM EST.

@WordsmithFL Take the laptop with you! What if you miss something?!

@WordsmithFL 🙏

@WordsmithFL

it will make autonomous decisions about landing!

@WordsmithFL 🤞

@Wbtphdjd Apollo landing sites were chosen because they were bland -- nice smooth no craters sites.

#Artemis is going to the south pole because parts are in permanent darkness, and NASA believes frozen ice water is there, necessary for a permanent crewed lunar base.

But the south pole also have craters and mountain ranges, so it's lot more difficult to land there.

So public parking is better in some lots more than others. 😉

@WordsmithFL @Wbtphdjd

Bill Nelson looked elated! Made me smile 🙂

@WordsmithFL

Watching Along with 108k people lol...