US-based aerospace company Intuitive Machines has launched its lunar lander Athena on a mission to the moon’s south pole in February. The lander, which traveled onboard SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket, experienced difficulties during landing and landed roughly 820 feet away from its intended site. The lander is no longer functioning due to depleted batteries caused by extreme temperatures and solar panel orientation. Despite this setback, Intuitive Machines plans to analyze the data collected and believes it will open up the region for future space exploration. NASA also benefited from Athena’s mission, collecting valuable data before its premature end.
Source: https://www.businessinsider.com/photo-space-intuitive-machines-moon-landing-went-wrong-2025-3