Athena lunar lander successfully reached the moon, but its condition and landing location remain uncertain, according to mission controllers.
Mission controllers have confirmed that the Athena lunar lander has successfully touched down on the moon. However, they are currently unable to determine the spacecraft’s condition following its landing.
The lander, which is operated by Intuitive Machines, made its descent earlier on Thursday. Despite the successful touchdown, ground controllers have not been able to ascertain the status of Athena or the precise location of its landing site. According to reports from the Associated Press, the lander was equipped with an ice drill, a drone, and two rovers.
Officials indicated that Athena was able to establish some communication with its controllers, although details about its condition remain unclear. Mission director and co-founder Tim Crain was heard instructing the team to “keep working on the problem,” even as the craft appeared to send “acknowledgments” back to the team based in Texas.
The uncertainty surrounding Athena’s status comes on the heels of a successful lunar landing by another private company. Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost successfully landed on the moon on Sunday, marking a significant achievement as it became the first private company to deploy a spacecraft on the lunar surface without it crashing or landing sideways.
NASA and Intuitive Machines concluded their online live stream shortly after Athena’s landing and announced plans to hold a news conference later on Thursday to provide updates on the lander’s status.
This week has been notable for lunar exploration, with Athena being the second craft to land on the moon in just a few days. Last year, Intuitive Machines faced challenges when its Odysseus lander landed sideways, which has added pressure to the current mission.
As the situation develops, the space community eagerly awaits further information regarding Athena’s condition and the implications of its landing.
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