Private lunar lander IM-2 mission aims to test mobility, resource prospecting and cellular network on moon.
Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander has arrived in Florida ahead of a planned launch on February 26. The mission will validate resource prospecting, mobility, and communications infrastructure in the Mons Mouton region near the moon’s south pole.
Athena is equipped with a drill, mass spectrometer, micro nova hopper, and mobile autonomous prospecting platform rover. Upon landing, these payloads will deploy to explore the lunar terrain while establishing a connection using Nokia’s Lunar Surface Communication System, the first-ever 4G/LTE network on the moon.
The IM-2 mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services initiative, supporting the agency’s Artemis program. This launch follows Intuitive Machines’ previous successful private spacecraft landing on the moon last year.
The company aims to provide reliable lunar delivery services and establish sustainable infrastructure at the moon. Athena’s arrival in Florida demonstrates the company’s commitment to delivering on its vision, with future missions focusing on developing a heavy cargo lander and establishing a lunar data relay satellite constellation.
Source: https://www.space.com/the-universe/moon/private-athena-moon-lander-arrives-in-florida-ahead-of-feb-26-spacex-launch