2024-02-23 08:47:48
A probe belonging to the American company “Intuitive Machines” succeeded in landing on the surface of the moon on Thursday, making it… The first American vehicle It landed there more than 50 years ago, and it is the first achievement of its kind recorded for a private company.
The moment also marked the first landing For a spacecraft An American woman on the surface of the moon, since the last mission of the Apollo program (Apollo 17), more than 50 years ago.
Steve Altimus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, confirmed the news, saying, “I know this was stressful, but we are on the roof and broadcasting.”
“We confirm without a doubt that our probe is on the surface of the moon and is sending signals,” said Tim Crane, director of Intuitive Machines, during the company’s live broadcast. The company then confirmed via the “X” platform that the probe landed “vertically” and began “sending data.”
The landing was recorded in the south pole of the moon at 17:23 pm Houston time in the state of Texas, where the company’s control room is located (23:23 GMT), according to what the British “PA Media” agency announced on Friday.
The height of the Nova-C Odysseus lander, which transports scientific equipment for the US Space Agency (NASA), regarding four metres, and it took off last week from Florida.
The landing process was the most difficult stage of the mission called “IM-1”.
Lasers that were supposed to provide guidance to the probe malfunctioned, but they did not work, and an alternative solution was relied upon through a NASA tool on the vehicle that was scheduled to be tested during the mission only.
About ten minutes before landing, significant thrust from the engine allowed Nova-C to slow down, which was at least 1,800 meters per second. During the final stage of the landing process, the probe operated completely autonomously.
It is now expected to receive a set of images, including what will be provided by a small vehicle equipped with cameras created by Embry-Riddle University, which specializes in aeronautics. It is assumed that it emerged from “Nova-C” in the last moments to capture the process of landing on the surface of the moon from the outside.
AH/AJM (AFP, DPA)
“Small but giant” – man’s first steps on the moon
Fifty years ago, mankind set foot on the moon, and the honor of this historic step went to American astronaut Neil Armstrong. This photo tour recalls the details of that event.
Image from: picture-alliance/dpa/NASA/N. Armstrong
“A small but giant step”
The first steps on the surface of the moon… When Neil Armstrong set his feet on the surface of the moon on July 20, 1969, he said one of the most famous sentences of all time: “This is a small step for man, but it is a giant leap for mankind.”
Image from: NASA
Countdown to zero minutes
From the Kennedy Space Center control room, Apollo Program Director Samuel C. Phillips, on preparations before the launch date on April 16, 1969. “Apollo 11” was the first mission to land on the surface of the moon. The vehicle was launched on the “Saturn V” rocket carrier with Neil Armstrong, Edwin Buzz-Aldrin, and Michael Collins on board.
Image from: NASA
Waiting for the historical moment
These three (pictured) were among thousands of people who lived in their tents on the beaches and roads next to NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida to follow the launch of the Apollo 11 spacecraft up close. About one million people visited the Kennedy Space Center to follow this historic flight.
Image from: NASA/Kennedy Space Center
Global following and interest
This historic event was followed not only by thousands of enthusiastic people, but also by thousands of reporters to report on Apollo 11. 3,500 journalists gathered in the press area at the Kennedy Space Center. On July 16, 1969, the rocket carrying the Apollo 11 spacecraft was launched.
Image from: NASA
One crew member was not allowed to accompany the team that landed on the moon and had to remain on the space probe. “I felt like I was a part of what happened on the moon,” Michael Collins said in 2009. “I might be called a liar or a fool if I said I had the three best seats on Apollo 11.” But I can honestly say that I am very satisfied with my participation in this mission. the mission”.
Image from: NASA/Kennedy Space Center
On July 20, 1969, at 8:17 minutes and 58 seconds in the evening, Armstrong’s first words to the control center and the world watching him were: “Houston, Tranquility Base here, the Falcon has landed.” But it took a long time until Amstrong and Aldrin set foot on the moon. The crew had to first prepare for the return trip, and then came the great historical moment when Neil Armstrong set foot on the surface of the moon.
Photo by: picture-alliance/Heritage Images/NASA/Oxford Science Archive
This photo was taken by Michael Collins on July 21, 1969, and shows the Falcon during its return journey from the Moon, with the surface of the Moon behind it and the Earth on its horizon. While Armstrong and Aldrin were setting foot on the moon, Collins was in charge of the Columbia command module.
Image from: NASA
Samples from the lunar surface
During the two-and-a-half-hour exploration, Armstrong and Aldrin collected more than 21 kilograms of material from the moon that was taken to Earth, this small piece of which is one of them. This photo was taken on July 27th following returning. During the six times that humans landed on the moon, astronauts collected 2,415 samples; That is, approximately 400 kilograms were collected in a special archive on the moon.
Image from: NASA/AccuSoft Inc.
Strange astronomical memorabilia
Visitors to the moon also left behind many things there. The brooch in the photo, one of the most symbolic objects, was left on the moon by Neil Armstrong. It is an olive branch measuring 15 centimeters long and symbolizing peace. Future visitors to space might also find golf balls, a family photo with a camera, works by Andy Warhol or a falcon feather.
Image from: NASA/Johnson Space Center
Back to earth
On July 24, at 4:50 a.m. UTC, the Apollo 11 crew landed in the Pacific Ocean, 21 kilometers from the US aircraft carrier USS Hornet, and 1,480 kilometers southwest of Hawaii. To avoid the possibility of the astronauts bringing any pathogens with them, the crew was placed under quarantine.
Image from: NASA/Johnson Space Center
Extraordinary stars
The Apollo 11 astronauts don their usual space suits, instead celebrating with the crowd in Mexican costumes, ponchos and hats. A world tour that led the astronauts for 45 days in 24 countries and 27 cities. Through this tour, the United States of America wanted to emphasize its readiness to exchange space knowledge with the rest of the world. As we can see here, the astronauts were celebrated like stars in Mexico City. Prepared by: H. Fox / Translated by: A. Ages
Image from: NASA
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