Mission failed

US lunar lander Odysseus silenced for good

It was not possible to "wake up" "Odie" again.

(Bild: AP)

Just over three weeks ago, the "Ulysses" lander on the moon ran out of power - now it is clear that it has gone silent for good. It has not been possible to "wake up" the device again.

Even after the end of the night on the moon, the data transmission did not restart.

Lunar lander overturned during landing maneuver
Odysseus was the first lunar lander on a private mission in history to land successfully on the Earth's satellite on 22 February. It was also the first lunar landing by the USA for more than 50 years. During the difficult landing maneuver, however, one of Ulysses' legs got caught on the lunar surface. The device tipped over sideways.

During the difficult landing maneuver, however, one of Ulysses' legs got caught on the lunar surface.

(Bild: Intuitive Machines)

Device put into sleep mode in February
Despite its sideways position, Odysseus initially continued to receive power via its solar panels. The high-tech device was able to send photos and other data to Earth. However, at the end of February, the US company Intuitive Machines announced that the lunar lander's power reserves had run out and the device had been put into sleep mode.

Contact no longer possible
At the same time, the company behind Odysseus still expressed the hope at this time that renewed contact would be possible. The company, based in Houston, Texas, hoped to be able to reactivate the device at the end of the night on the moon. This hope was not fulfilled: "'Odie' has gone to sleep forever."