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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is launched from a pad at Kennedy Space Centre, seen from Port Canaveral, Florida, on February 15, 2024. AP Photo
US company Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar landing vehicle sent back this image before its historic touchdown. Photo: Intuitive Machines
The Odysseus lander in close-up. Photo: Intuitive Machines
The Odysseus Moon lander separates from the SpaceX carrier's second stage, which is seen in the background. Photo: Intuitive Machines
The Earth in the backdrop of a photo taken by the Odysseus lunar landing vehicle. Photo: Intuitive Machines
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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasts off from a Florida spaceport on February 15, 2024, carrying the Odysseus lunar lander into space. EPA
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This image from a video shows the lander separating from the carrier rocket's upper stage and heading towards the Moon. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RLSU6AFR6EI5U6TTP7O3KCHYNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6d3bd8d4fea2eec80a92393c7596994efe2bfce9f57ad0860d22a20d9f8caca&width=400&height=225)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is launched from a pad at Kennedy Space Centre, seen from Port Canaveral, Florida, on February 15, 2024. AP Photo
US company Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lunar landing vehicle sent back this image before its historic touchdown. Photo: Intuitive Machines
The Odysseus lander in close-up. Photo: Intuitive Machines
The Odysseus Moon lander separates from the SpaceX carrier's second stage, which is seen in the background. Photo: Intuitive Machines
The Earth in the backdrop of a photo taken by the Odysseus lunar landing vehicle. Photo: Intuitive Machines
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/6DYAXS4UPPNFFCS5WPZKXVTTGA.jpg?smart=true&auth=11d12543f23f3299e3373435ed59842567fced687f72dd51da77adcdf8c94a21&width=400&height=225)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket blasts off from a Florida spaceport on February 15, 2024, carrying the Odysseus lunar lander into space. EPA
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/GBNVCW3VC5IXGGXXCCWCZXYTAI.jpg?smart=true&auth=d0daeabd582e1ab6c68ec4b623facce9e91b46ce7f5bd3eaf43df133059ed746&width=400&height=225)
This image from a video shows the lander separating from the carrier rocket's upper stage and heading towards the Moon. AP Photo
![](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/RLSU6AFR6EI5U6TTP7O3KCHYNE.jpg?smart=true&auth=d6d3bd8d4fea2eec80a92393c7596994efe2bfce9f57ad0860d22a20d9f8caca&width=400&height=225)
A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is launched from a pad at Kennedy Space Centre, seen from Port Canaveral, Florida, on February 15, 2024. AP Photo
How Nasa tech saved Odysseus Moon landing from last-gasp failure
Spacecraft's navigation lasers and cameras became inactive as it prepared to reach lunar surface
![Sarwat Nasir](https://thenational-the-national-prod.cdn.arcpublishing.com/resizer/v2/https%3A%2F%2Fs3.amazonaws.com%2Farc-authors%2Fthenational%2F5a1721d1-b1fc-47a7-8c35-985395d5a5ae.png?smart=true&auth=59b598b8295381dbbb5492b5ef6a2ffa0d77e07c0a1086053fcdbee600f14b7f&width=70&height=70)
Sarwat Nasir
23 February, 2024
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