Athena Lander Touches Down on Moon's South Pole, Status Uncertain
Intuitive Machines' Athena lander reached the Moon but lies on its side, complicating its mission's objectives and power generation.
It does seem that Athena landed relatively near its target, the Mons Mouton area of the Moon, further south than any lander has set down on the Moon.
Intuitive Machines’ second attempt to land on the Moon also went sideways
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Although Odysseus tipped over on touchdown, it continued to send mission data back to Earth.
Intuitive Machines' IM-2 lunar lander reached the moon, but its status is unclear
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Last year, Intuitive Machine saw its Odysseus lander make it to the moon, only to end up landing sideways, putting extra pressure on today’s landing.
Athena lunar lander makes it to the moon — but its condition remains unknown
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This is the latest example of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, setting the stage for America’s manned return to the moon, and is the United States’s second successful lunar landing in less than a week.
Private Spacecraft Athena Lands on Moon, But Status Unclear
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Despite the uncertainty of its initial condition, Athena’s arrival was the second private moon landing in four days after Sunday’s spectacular arrival of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost.
First private US robotic lunar rover lands successfully on the moon
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The unexpected landing position is reminiscent of what happened to IM-2, but the impact on the mission's science objectives will take time to understand.
Intuitive Machines Lander Touches Down on Moon, but Lands Wonky
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Intuitive Machines’ first lander Odysseus in 2024 made history as the first by a commercial company to make it to the surface intact.
2nd moon lander in a week touches down, but unclear if still upright
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Landing on the moon is difficult.
Intuitive Machines probe is on the moon but its status is uncertain
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Lunar landings are very difficult, and the company will be hoping the touchdown was smooth after its first craft landed on its side last year.
Spacecraft carrying hopping robot lands on Moon
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Both the Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace missions are part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, which the agency set up to support the development of moon landers by private-sector companies.
A private spacecraft just tried to land on the moon, but the outcome is not yet clear
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Summary
Intuitive Machines' Athena lander successfully landed on the Moon's South Pole on March 6, 2025, marking the second private lunar landing in a week, following Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost. Despite landing near its target, uncertainties about Athena’s orientation persist, with indications that it may be lying on its side, limiting its power generation and mission capabilities. Engineers are working to ascertain its exact position and operational status, while awaiting further data. The mission is part of NASA's $2.6 billion CLPS initiative and aims to explore lunar ice deposits, vital for future Artemis missions.
Perspectives
Intuitive Machines successfully landed its Athena lander on the Moon near the South Pole, carrying scientific instruments for exploration and communication, despite facing challenges during the landing process.
While Athena's landing was confirmed, uncertainties regarding its orientation and position on the lunar surface remain, necessitating close monitoring and data analysis from the mission control team.
The Athena mission represents a significant step in NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, aimed at fostering private sector involvement in lunar exploration and preparing for future human missions.