A private lunar lander, called Athena, has stopped working after landing sideways in a crater near the moon’s south pole, officials announced.
The lander, built by Texas-based Intuitive Machines, missed its target by over 250 meters and landed in a freezing crater. Although Athena sent back pictures and activated some experiments, it soon lost power and went silent.
Athena carried NASA-funded experiments, including an ice drill, a drone, and two small rovers meant to explore the area. However, the lander’s solar panels are not positioned correctly, making it unlikely to recharge. The mission, which cost NASA NZ$108.4 million, was part of a larger effort to prepare for astronauts’ return to the moon, planned for later this decade.
This was Intuitive Machines’ second attempt at a lunar landing. The first, a year ago, also ended with a sideways landing but continued working for a while. Despite setbacks, the company’s first lander made history by returning the U.S. to the moon for the first time in over 50 years.
Earlier in the week, another Texas company, Firefly Aerospace, successfully landed its Blue Ghost lander on the moon’s near side. Several NASA experiments on Blue Ghost have already completed their objectives.
Athena’s mission aimed to reach the moon’s south pole, where scientists believe there is frozen water. Future astronauts may use this water for drinking and making rocket fuel. NASA has more upcoming moon missions with Intuitive Machines, but the company must first investigate what went wrong before launching again.
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