California-based startup AstroForge launched its Odin spacecraft on February 26 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The companylaunched its first mission in April 2023to demonstrate its ability to refine asteroid material in orbit.
Its initial task also did not go as planned, as the company struggled to communicate with its satellite.
The Odin spacecraft after separating from the rocket.Intuitive Machines
AstroForge built the $3.5 million spacecraft in less than ten months.
We know how to build these craft.
These have been built before.
They just cost a billion fucking dollars.
How do we do it for a fraction of the cost?
Gialich is quoted as saying in AstroForges recentupdate.
You have to try.
And try they did.
The spacecraft is designed to travel to the companys target near-Earth asteroid and dock with the body in space.
This is a new frontier, and we got another shot at it with Vestri, Gialich added.
News from the future, delivered to your present.
As for the Moon, not so much.
