Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lunar Lander Readies for Groundbreaking Moon Landing Attempt

A robotic lander named Athena is getting ready for its descent to the moon’s surface. This could be the second lunar landing for a U.S. company just this week. Athena, created by Intuitive Machines based in Houston, is scheduled to land at 11:32 a.m. CT on Thursday.

Intuitive Machines made headlines last year as the first private company to successfully land on the moon. A live stream of Athena’s landing will start about an hour before it touches down, co-hosted by NASA and Intuitive Machines.

If all goes well, Athena will join another lander, Blue Ghost, developed by Firefly Aerospace in a nearby area. Blue Ghost safely landed earlier this week, marking a significant achievement.

Athena and Blue Ghost will operate on the moon’s near side, but they will be about 2,000 miles apart, with Athena landing close to the south pole. This area is of great interest because it may have hidden water ice, crucial for future space missions.

Lunar landings are tough. Many attempts, including those by space agencies and private companies, have failed. To succeed, Athena must perform an engine burn that will guide it from lunar orbit to the surface. The lander will coast for around an hour before its final descent, using sensors and cameras to navigate the crater-filled terrain.

The final approach is critical, as the spacecraft must slow down from 4,000 miles per hour to a soft landing. The south pole is particularly attractive for modern space exploration due to the potential presence of water ice, which can be used for drinking water, breathable air, or even fuel for deeper space missions.

Athena is set to land on a specific plateau known as Mons Mouton, about 100 miles from the south pole. Once on the ground, it will begin its scouting mission. Equipped with a drill, a hopper, and a rover, Athena will search for water ice in the area.

The lander is expected to work for about 10 days before falling into darkness as the lunar night begins. Last year’s mission, led by Intuitive Machines’ first lander named Odysseus, had a rough landing, which impacted its ability to function as planned.

Intuitive Machines and Firefly Aerospace, both partners in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, are pushing the boundaries of lunar exploration. NASA’s program aims to inspire private companies to develop cost-effective spacecraft for lunar missions.

As NASA prepares for its Artemis III mission, set to land humans on the moon for the first time in over 50 years by mid-2027, the success of these robotic missions is crucial. Hours after landing, Athena will deploy its rover, the Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP), which will help explore the area and test new technologies.

MAPP is designed to collect soil samples and create 3D maps of the lunar surface while also testing new communication equipment. NASA plans to pay $1 for the ownership of the soil sample, marking a significant milestone in the commercialization of space resources.

Athena’s primary job is to use NASA’s PRIME-1 drill to search for water ice in the moon’s soil. Locating water close to the surface would be groundbreaking for future missions, making lunar exploration more feasible.

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