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Tipped-over Odysseus moon lander, spotted by lunar orbiter, sends back pictures
NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has spotted the tipped-over Odysseus lander on the surface of the moon, officials said Monday, confirming it touched down less than a mile from its planned landing site near the moon’s south pole.
Odysseus builder Intuitive Machines of Houston posted a picture captured by the lander during its final descent, along with a blurry shot apparently taken after touchdown, showing the rock-strewn surface immediately around the landing site.
“Odysseus continues to communicate with flight controllers in Nova Control from the lunar surface,” Intuitive Machines said on its website.
“After understanding the end-to-end communication requirements, Odysseus sent images from the lunar surface of its vertical descent to its Malapert A landing site, representing the furthest south any vehicle has been able to land on the moon and establish communication with ground controllers.”
Images from NASA’s Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera confirmed Odysseus touched down at 80.13 degrees south latitude and 1.44 east longitude at an elevation of 1.6 miles, putting it within 5,000 feet of the landing site near a crater known as Malapert A.
NASA/Intuitive Machines
“After traveling more than 600,000 miles, Odysseus landed within (nine tenths of a mile) of its intended Malapert A landing site,” the company posted.
A second photograph showed the lunar terrain below Odysseus as the spacecraft descended straight down toward the moon, its fixed landing legs poised for touchdown.
Odysseus was launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Feb. 15 and landed at 6:24 p.m. EST last Thursday, becoming the first privately build spacecraft to successfully touch down on the moon and the first U.S. spacecraft of any kind to accomplish that feat in more than 50 years.
Intuitive Machines via AP
But the spacecraft was moving to one side slightly at the moment of touchdown. One of its six landing legs apparently dug in, or got caught on a rock or stuck in a crevice, causing the 14-foot-tall Odysseus to topple over on its side.
While the lander survived touchdown, antennas were not properly aimed at Earth and data transmission has been slower than expected. In any case, the spacecraft will only survive a few more days before the sun sets at the landing site, ending its ability to generate solar power.
Japan’s moon lander survives lunar night
The Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency, meanwhile, reported Monday that flight controllers had managed to reestablish contact with their SLIM lunar lander, which touched down on the moon Jan. 19 and promptly tipped over on its nose. One of the probe’s two engines malfunctioned shortly before touchdown, producing an unbalanced thrust that caused it to hit the surface while still moving forward.
Engineers did not expect the solar-powered spacecraft to survive the lunar night, but flight controllers reported they were able to re-contact the lander over the weekend.
“SLIM successfully survived the night on the lunar surface while maintaining communication capabilities!” the space agency reported. “Last night, as it was still midday and the temperature of the communication equipment was extremely high, communication was terminated after only a short period of time.
“From now on, preparations will be made so that observations can be resumed once the temperature has cooled sufficiently.”
A photo from one of SLIM’s navigation cameras was posted on X showing the surrounding landscape.
Getty Images/iStockphoto
Dealing with credit card debt in collections can feel overwhelming. Whether it’s due to financial hardship, unexpected expenses or a moment of oversight, unpaid debts can lead to aggressive collection calls, damage to your credit score and a cloud of financial uncertainty. That’s why the conventional wisdom often suggests paying off all debts as quickly as possible to try and limit the repercussions.
However, the reality is often more nuanced. There are circumstances where paying off debt in collections is the smartest move, helping you rebuild your financial standing and avoid further complications. But there are also situations where it may be unnecessary or even counterproductive to do so and making the wrong choice about this type of debt can have serious consequences.
After all, if you pay off the wrong debt at the wrong time, you might drain your emergency fund or miss out on debt settlement opportunities. But if you ignore the right debt at the wrong time, you could face lawsuits or further damage to your credit score. As a result, it’s important to understand when to pay — or not to pay — to help you make the best decisions about your financial future.
Start tackling your credit card debt that’s in collections today.
3 times you should pay off credit card debt collections
Here’s when it makes sense to pay off what you owe to a debt collector:
When you plan to apply for a major loan
If you’re gearing up to apply for a mortgage, car loan or other significant financing, paying off debt in collections can improve your chances of approval. Lenders scrutinize your credit report and collections accounts can be red flags indicating financial instability. While paying off the debt won’t erase it from your credit report, it can reflect positively by showing that you’ve taken responsibility. Plus, some lenders might require all collections to be resolved before approving your application.
Find out how the right debt relief strategy could provide relief now.
When you want to stop legal action
Creditors or collection agencies can escalate unpaid debts by suing you for the balance (and any fees and interest charges tied to it). If this happens and they win, they can garnish your wages or place liens on your assets. Paying off the debt, either in full or through a negotiated settlement, can prevent or halt such legal proceedings. This is particularly critical if the debt is within the statute of limitations, meaning the creditor can still legally pursue you in court.
When the debt is valid and you have the means to pay
If the debt is legitimate, within the statute of limitations, and you have the financial resources to pay it, it’s typically wise to settle it. Ignoring valid debt can lead to further financial strain through accruing interest and fees, not to mention ongoing damage to your credit score. Paying it off, though, demonstrates financial responsibility and offers peace of mind, allowing you to move forward with a clean slate.
3 times you shouldn’t pay off credit card debt collections
And here are a few times when it may not make sense to pay off the debt:
When the debt is beyond the statute of limitations
Every state has a statute of limitations that limits how long a creditor can sue you for unpaid debts. If the debt is beyond this period, known as a time-barred debt, you can no longer be legally forced to pay it. Making a payment or acknowledging the debt can restart the clock on the statute of limitations, making you vulnerable to legal action. In this case, it’s better to let the debt remain dormant unless you’re ready to settle it entirely.
When the debt isn’t yours or contains errors
Mistakes happen and not all debts reported to collections are legitimate. If you believe the debt isn’t yours or contains inaccuracies, don’t rush to pay it. Instead, dispute the debt with the collection agency or credit bureaus. Under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act (FDCPA), you have the right to request validation of the debt, and collection agencies are required to provide proof. Paying a debt you don’t owe can waste money and reinforce errors in your credit report.
When paying would cause financial hardship
If paying off the debt would drain your savings or compromise your ability to meet basic needs, it may be better to prioritize essential expenses and explore other solutions. For instance, you might negotiate a payment plan or settle the debt for less than the full amount. Alternatively, working with a credit counselor or pursuing bankruptcy (in extreme cases) could be more sustainable options. Ultimately, sacrificing your financial well-being to pay off collections isn’t worth it if it jeopardizes your future stability.
The bottom line
Deciding whether to pay off credit card debt in collections requires a careful evaluation of your circumstances. Paying off the debt can be a strategic move if it’s necessary for financial goals, legal protection or peace of mind. However, rushing to pay under the wrong conditions — such as dealing with time-barred debt or financial hardship — can lead to unnecessary stress and expense.
The key is to understand your rights and options. If you’re unsure about how to proceed, consider seeking advice from an expert or a debt relief specialist. By approaching debt collection with a clear strategy, you can take control of your finances and make decisions that benefit your long-term financial health.
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