Intuitive Machines, a US space exploration company, saw its shares plummet by 22% on Friday after its second moon lander, Athena, landed on its side during a recent mission. The six-legged lander touched down near the moon’s south pole, but was deemed inoperable due to extreme cold temperatures and solar panel orientation.
The mission was intended to test the capabilities of Athena, which carried 11 payloads and scientific instruments, including a drill to check for water ice and resources on the lunar soil. Despite the failure, the company managed to collect just 250 megabytes of data for NASA.
This setback comes after Intuitive Machines had more than doubled its shares in the past 12 months. The company’s CEO said that Athena would not recharge due to the harsh conditions.
The failed landing attempt has sparked concerns about the company’s credibility. However, analysts remain optimistic, citing that it may not be a major issue. Firefly Aerospace recently celebrated a successful lunar touchdown, highlighting the progress made in private space exploration.
Intuitive Machines is expected to delay its third lunar landing mission next year due to the need for a new communications satellite deployment. The company has been awarded four missions by NASA, including one set for 2027 to study water origin on the moon.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/technology/space/intuitive-machines-stock-plummets-after-second-apparent-sideways-moon-landing-2025-03-07