Near Malapert A Crater (South Polar Region)

What Happened Here?

Landing site of IM-1 Odysseus, February 22, 2024. First US soft landing since Apollo 17. First commercial US soft landing. Lander tipped on side.

Region Overview

Region within ~30° of the south pole containing permanently shadowed craters with confirmed water ice. Target of Chandrayaan-3, Luna 25, IM-1, IM-2 Athena, and Chang'e 7.

Missions Associated with this Site

• IM-1 Odysseus (2024) · Intuitive Machines PARTIAL
  Confirmed landing. First US soft landing on Moon since Apollo 17 (1972); first commercial US soft landing

Historical Timeline

• 2024-02-15 — Launch from Kennedy Space Center on Falcon 9 (IM-1 Odysseus)
• 2024-02-21 — Entered lunar orbit (IM-1 Odysseus)
• 2024-02-22 — Navigation laser issue discovered — backup solution improvised (IM-1 Odysseus)
• 2024-02-22 — Lander tips on side at touchdown — partial mission (IM-1 Odysseus)
• 2024-02-22T23:24 UTC — Odysseus lands near Malapert A — first US Moon landing since 1972 (IM-1 Odysseus)
• 2024-03-07 — Last contact before lunar night (IM-1 Odysseus)

Site Imagery & Gallery

Scientific References & Sources

• https://www.nasa.gov/commercial-lunar-payload-services/im-1/
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-1

Explore Near Malapert A Crater (South Polar Region) in 3D

Interactive 3D Moon atlas with terrain model, spacecraft markers, and historical site stories.