Intuitive Machine Prepare for Second Moon Landing Mission

Athena Lander Set for Launch

Intuitive Machines is set to launch its second lunar mission on February 26, 2025, at 7:17 p.m. EST (0017 GMT on February 27) from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Athena lander, a six-legged spacecraft about the height of a giraffe, aims to land near the Moon’s south pole on March 10.

This mission follows the company’s previous attempt in February 2024, where the Odysseus lander experienced a hard landing and tipped over, affecting several onboard experiments.

Scientific Instruments and Mission Goals

Athena carries a range of scientific payloads, including:

A “hopper” rover named Grace, designed to explore permanently shadowed lunar craters in search of water ice.
A rover from Japan’s Dymon Co. Ltd.
Nokia’s technology to test 4G communications on the lunar surface.

These payloads are part of ongoing efforts to advance lunar exploration and support NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon.

Improvements from the Previous Mission

To avoid the issues that caused Odysseus to land lopsided, engineers have enhanced Athena’s laser altimeter to improve landing accuracy. The company is confident in its upgrades but acknowledges the challenges of spaceflight.

Future of Lunar Exploration

The success of Athena is crucial for the development of a lunar economy and future crewed missions. Other private moon landers are also set for launches, including Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander and a mission from Japan’s ispace.

As NASA and private companies navigate political and funding uncertainties, Intuitive Machines remains adaptable to potential shifts in U.S. space policy, including a possible future focus on Mars.

“Intuitive Machine Prepare for Second Moon Landing Mission” “Intuitive Machine Prepare for Second Moon Landing Mission”