Intuitive Machines' attempt to land its Athena lunar lander near the Moon’s Mons Mouton ended in failure as the craft tipped over after landing sideways. CEO Steve Altemus expressed disappointment during a press conference, noting that the lander missed its target by 800 feet due to autonomously navigating surface hazards. The company deemed the mission a failure less than 24 hours post-landing as it determined the lander wouldn't recharge its instruments due to its orientation and the Moon's conditions, despite conducting some scientific experiments before the shutdown.
"We don't believe we're in the correct attitude on the surface of the Moon yet again," Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus announced during a Thursday press conference.
"With the direction of the Sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Intuitive Machines does not expect Athena to recharge," the team declared in an update.
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