A post shared on social media purports that images of Odysseus on the moon’s surface prove that the operation was faked.

Verdict: False

The claim is inaccurate. The images in the post were taken from a simulation before the launch.

Fact Check:

Odysseus successfully landed in a “titled position” on the moon, making it the first lunar landing for the U.S. in more than 5o years, Reuters reported. The spacecraft went dormant shortly after landing and is expected to reawaken when it receives enough solar energy to power up again.

The post shared on Facebook purports images showing Odysseus are proof of the landing being faked. The woman in the video shows images of the Odysseus landing saying that the camera angles prove that the event was staged.

She says, “the image shows the top view of it landing on the moon. Who is recording this? How did the camera get set up before the spacecraft landed?

The claim is inaccurate. They are both simulations of the landing and animations. The video that the images were taken from was uploaded to YouTube in 2022 by Intuitive Machines, the company that built and operated the Odysseus spacecraft. The video’s title is “Intuitive Machines IM-1 Mission Animation.”

Intuitive Machines did share authentic images of the landing after the event. (RELATED: Here’s What We Know About The German Navy Allegedly Firing On A US Drone)

Before its power was depleted, Odysseus completed a fitting farewell transmission. Received today, this image from February 22nd showcases the crescent Earth in the backdrop, a subtle reminder of humanity’s presence in the universe.

Goodnight, Odie. We hope to hear from you… pic.twitter.com/RwOWsH1TSz

— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) February 29, 2024

This is not the first time misinformation has been shared online. Check Your Fact debunked a claim that a video shows a direct energy weapon starting the recent wildfires in Texas.