Intuitive Machines is set to launch its lunar lander, Athena, aimed to successfully land on the moon's surface, specifically targeting Mons Mouton near the south pole. Following the challenges with its previous lander, Odysseus, which toppled post-landing, Athena's mission hopes for a stable touchdown. The spacecraft is carrying scientific equipment, including a drill for NASA to extract lunar soil, alongside two smaller rovers for testing technology. As part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, Athena's mission highlights ongoing collaboration between NASA and private space companies for lunar exploration.
With NASA again picking up the bill, Intuitive Machines of Houston is going back to the moon. This time, the hope is that Athena will stay upright.
The lander's destination is Mons Mouton, a flat-topped mountain about 100 miles from the moon's south pole, closer than any previous spacecraft has landed.
Intuitive Machines is the second company to attempt a moon landing this week, following Firefly Aerospace's success on Sunday in the Mare Crisium region.
The main payload on Athena is a drill for NASA that will extract lunar soil to be analyzed for frozen water and other compounds.
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