A privately operated spacecraft has successfully landed on the Moon, but the mission’s second lunar lander, Athena, faced complications shortly after touchdown.
The Athena lander, built by Texas startup Intuitive Machines, touched down in the Mons Mouton region at 1730 UTC Thursday. However, internal sensors indicated that it may have landed horizontally instead of vertically as intended.
CEO Steve Altemus described the situation, saying “We had a seven-day transit to the surface and we think that we’ve been very successful to this point… however I do have to tell you that we don’t believe we’re on the correct attitude on the surface.”
This issue is not new for Intuitive Machines’ first lander, Odysseus, which landed on the Moon last year but tipped over after descending too quickly. The batteries on Odysseus eventually ran out, and it shut down.
Critics have pointed to the design of Athena, citing its tall and narrow shape compared to traditional lunar landers. However, CEO Altemus defended the design, stating that it doesn’t have a high center of gravity due to its cargo attachments.
Despite the complications, the spacecraft is still generating power, albeit not enough for normal operations. The flight team is investigating which systems can be shut down to ensure the longest possible working life for the lander.
One positive aspect is that the cargo, including three lunar rovers and scientific equipment, appears to be operational. The rovers are designed to collect data and conduct experiments, such as analyzing regolith for signs of water and measuring temperature on the surface.
The state of Athena’s payloads will determine what can be used in the future, with the Mons Mouton highlands considered a prime landing spot for manned missions. NASA officials remain optimistic about the mission’s potential, saying “Any time humanity puts a lander on the Moon, it’s a good day.”
Source: https://www.theregister.com/2025/03/07/intuitive_machines_landing