“SpaceX to Launch Intuitive Machines Moon Lander on Falcon 9: A Historic Mission from Kennedy Space Center”

Intuitive Machines is set to make another trip to the Moon with its Nova-C lander named Athena. This exciting mission is planned for launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, no earlier than February 26, at 7:16 p.m. EST. After liftoff, Athena will aim to land on the Moon around March 6, beginning a 10-day mission.

This is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, designed to lower costs while advancing lunar science and technology. NASA has contracted Intuitive Machines for over $62 million to deliver two scientific payloads to the Moon’s surface.

Justin Kugler, Intuitive Machines’ Director of Business Development, expressed excitement about the upcoming mission, sharing that they have learned valuable lessons from their first mission with a lander called Odysseus or “Oddie.” Last time, Oddie faced issues during its landing, tipping at a 30-degree angle yet still managed to carry out most of its mission before powering down after six days.

This time, Athena will attempt to land near Mons Mouton, a mountain roughly the size of Mount Denali. This location was chosen for its scientific importance and was previously considered for another mission by Astrobotic. Kugler noted that landing success isn’t just about science; it also has national and geopolitical implications, especially with other countries eyeing lunar resources.

Athena carries an American flag that was authorized for flight during the Apollo program but never made it to space. Signed by Apollo astronauts Charlie Duke and Harrison “Jack” Schmidt, it’s a meaningful homage to past lunar missions. While on the lunar surface, Athena will try to capture images of Earth eclipsing the Sun.

The lander will also demonstrate several technologies. Its main payloads from NASA include the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1), which uses a drill to search for ice beneath the lunar surface, and the Laser Retro-Reflector Array (LRA). Understanding water’s presence on the Moon is crucial for future explorations.

Athena is equipped with a Micro Nova Hopper named Grace, designed to extend exploration capabilities. Grace can hop up to 25 kilometers from Athena’s landing site, providing access to challenging areas like permanently shadowed craters. This can enhance data collection far beyond what traditional rovers can achieve.

Grace will perform several hops after landing, testing its ability to reach various altitudes. Along with its own scientific instruments, Grace will also carry the Lunar Radiometer (LRAD) and the Puli Lunar Water Snooper (PLWS), designed to identify water ice and temperature variations in permanently shadowed regions.

The mission will also carry three rideshare payloads, including NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer, aimed at finding water on the Moon. The second payload, AstroForge’s Odin, is focused on asteroid mining, and the third is Epic Aerospace’s Chimera GEO 1, which has yet to disclose its additional payload.

Overall, this mission not only represents a leap in scientific exploration but also reinforces the U.S. commitment to lunar presence in the face of international competition. The lessons learned and technologies demonstrated could pave the way for future missions and deeper space exploration.

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