A private US company aims for its second lunar touchdown with the launch of a lander carrying a suite of unique experiments aboard a SpaceX rocket. Intuitive Machines made history last year as the first private entity to place a robot on the moon, despite the lander tipping onto its side during that mission. On February 26, 2025, the company’s new lander, Athena, blasted off successfully from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:16 PM EST.
The Mission of Athena
If all goes as planned, Athena is expected to touch down around March 6, 2025, at the vast Mons Mouton plateau, a target closer to the lunar south pole than any previously attempted landing. This location is critical for future explorations as it is believed to be rich in water ice, a resource that could support human presence on the Moon.
Scientific Objectives
Athena is equipped with an array of scientific instruments, aimed at conducting significant lunar investigations:
- Drilling for Ice: The lander includes a drill designed to search for ice beneath the moon's surface.
- Hopping Drone: Named Grace after the famed computer scientist Grace Hopper, this first-of-its-kind hopping drone will traverse the moon’s challenging terrain, including its rugged inclines and craters.
- Lunar Cellular Network Testing: Athena will also deploy a small rover that will operate a lunar cellular network developed by Nokia Bell Labs, relaying commands, images, and video back to the lander, essential for integrating communication systems for future astronauts.
Technological Innovations
Intuitive Machines' CEO Trent Martin emphasized the importance of the hopping drone, noting its capability to reach "extreme environments where you can't drive," such as lunar pits and ancient lava flows.
This mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, a collaboration between public and private sectors aiming to deliver NASA hardware to the lunar surface at reduced costs compared to traditional missions. NASA's Nicky Fox expressed enthusiasm, anticipating valuable scientific data from these autonomous technology demonstrations as preparations continue for human voyages to the Moon through the Artemis program, aimed for later this decade.
Challenges in Lunar Landing
Landing on the Moon is notoriously difficult due to the lack of atmosphere, which precludes the use of parachutes. Instead, spacecraft must rely on thruster burns to slow their descent and avoid treacherous terrain. Despite making history, Intuitive Machines faced challenges with their previous lander, Odysseus, which tipped over upon landing in February 2024 due to a rapid descent. This time, the mission team invested in improvements, including:
| Improvement | Description |
|---|---|
| Laser Altimeter Enhancements | Upgrades to cabling and sensitivity improve altitude and velocity readings. |
| Landing Site Analysis | Improved techniques for assessing safe landing locations to prevent tipping. |
| Thruster Control Systems | Refined algorithms to control thrusters for a safer and more stable landing. |
Upcoming Missions
Athena's landing is set to be preceded by another private US lander from Firefly Aerospace, called Blue Ghost, which launched back in January 2025. Notably, NASA's Lunar Trailblazer probe, also hitching a ride, will enter orbit after its four-month journey and initiate a two-year mission focused on water distribution on the Moon.
These missions arrive at a crucial time for NASA as it contemplates whether to continue its lunar astronaut program or instead shift resources towards Mars exploration, aligning with both President Donald Trump and Elon Musk's aspirations for interplanetary travel.
Conclusion
The upcoming lunar missions represent significant advancements in both public and private space exploration efforts. With enhanced technologies and collaborative initiatives, we are on the cusp of establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, which is viewed as a critical stepping stone for future Mars missions. The success of Athena's landing could vastly change the landscape of lunar exploration and pave the way for international consortiums to invest in developing lunar infrastructure.
