Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lunar Lander Touches Down Near South Pole, Orientation Uncertain
The Athena lunar lander, part of Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission, has successfully landed on the Moon approximately 100 miles from the lunar south pole. However, concerns have arisen regarding the lander’s orientation, which could potentially impact the duration of its mission.
During a post-landing news conference, Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus expressed uncertainty about Athena’s positioning. Data from the lander’s Inertial Measurement Unit suggests it may be tilted on its side, reminiscent of its predecessor, Odysseus, which experienced a similar fate during its landing.
Confirmation of Athena’s exact position is expected in the coming days through images captured by a lunar reconnaissance orbital camera. This information will be crucial in determining the operational status of the lander’s 11 payloads and scientific instruments, which are designed to detect water on the Moon.
The IM-2 mission, a collaboration with NASA to support future crewed lunar missions, follows the successful upright landing of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander on March 2nd. Despite the orientation concerns, Athena is currently charging and maintaining communication with Earth.
However, power and communication issues stemming from the lander’s position may shorten its planned ten-day mission lifespan. In response, power conservation measures have been implemented to maximize mission objectives despite sub-optimal performance.
Key instruments aboard Athena include a drill for ice detection and a hopping drone vehicle named Grace, intended to explore a permanently shadowed crater. The confirmation of the lander’s orientation will be critical in assessing the feasibility of deploying these instruments.
As scientists and engineers work to gather more information about Athena’s status, the mission continues to represent a significant step in lunar exploration and the ongoing efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon.
