Athena lunar lander successfully reached the moon, but mission controllers remain uncertain about its condition and exact landing location.
Mission controllers have confirmed that the Athena lunar lander successfully touched down on the moon earlier today. However, they are still uncertain about the spacecraft’s condition following its landing, according to the Associated Press.
The precise location of Athena’s landing remains unclear. The lander, which is operated by Intuitive Machines, was equipped with an ice drill, a drone, and two rovers. Despite the uncertainty surrounding its status, officials reported that Athena was able to establish communication with its controllers.
Tim Crain, mission director and co-founder of Intuitive Machines, was heard instructing his team to “keep working on the problem,” even as the craft sent apparent “acknowledgments” back to the team in Texas.
The live stream of the landing was concluded by NASA and Intuitive Machines, who announced plans to hold a news conference later today to provide updates on Athena’s status.
This event follows a significant milestone in lunar exploration, as Athena becomes the second craft to land on the moon this week. On Sunday, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost successfully made its landing, marking a historic achievement as the first private company to deploy a spacecraft on the moon without it crashing or tipping over. Will Coogan, chief engineer for Blue Ghost, celebrated the accomplishment, stating, “You all stuck the landing. We’re on the moon.”
Last year, Intuitive Machines faced challenges with its Odysseus lander, which landed sideways, adding pressure to the success of today’s mission. The outcomes of both Athena and Blue Ghost represent significant advancements in private lunar exploration.
As the situation develops, further details about Athena’s condition and mission objectives are anticipated during the upcoming news conference, according to the Associated Press.