# **Intuitive Machines’ Athena Mission Concludes Following Lunar Landing Difficulties**
Intuitive Machines, a private aerospace firm located in Houston, has recently wrapped up its **Athena** mission to the Moon. This mission, which aimed to deploy scientific devices onto the lunar surface, encountered major obstacles, ultimately resulting in a landing on its side. Nevertheless, the company and NASA are still engaged in evaluating the information gathered during the mission.
## **A Mission Concluded Prematurely**
On Friday morning, Intuitive Machines reported the completion of the **Athena** lander’s mission. The spacecraft landed on the Moon on **Thursday at 11:28 AM local time in Houston (17:28 UTC)**, arriving within **250 meters of its intended landing location** in the Mons Mouton area, close to the lunar south pole. This represented the **most southern landing ever achieved on the Moon**.
However, due to the **positioning of the solar panels, the angle of sunlight, and severe cold in the crater**, Intuitive Machines indicated that it does not anticipate **Athena** to recharge. As a result, the mission is officially concluded, with teams now reviewing the data collected.
## **Familiar Challenges for Intuitive Machines**
This marked **Intuitive Machines’ second lunar endeavor**, following the **Odysseus** mission conducted a year prior. That mission also encountered hurdles, as an issue with its **laser rangefinders** caused the lander to descend more quickly than expected, resulting in a **toppled landing**. Despite this, **Odysseus** was able to generate power and accomplish many of its scientific goals.
Likewise, the **Athena** mission faced complications with its **laser rangefinders**, hindering the spacecraft’s ability to accurately gauge its altitude and position relative to the Moon’s surface. This led to yet another **sideways landing**, restricting the lander’s operational capabilities as intended.
## **NASA’s Support for Commercial Lunar Exploration**
NASA has been investing in commercial lunar exploration as part of its **Artemis initiative**, which aims to return humans to the Moon and establish a lasting presence near the **lunar south pole**. The **Athena** mission received partial funding from NASA, which supplied scientific instruments for the lander.
One of the key payloads aboard **Athena** was **PRIME-1**, an ice drill engineered to sample and analyze subsurface water ice. This experiment was designed to aid scientists in understanding the distribution of ice on the Moon, a vital resource for future human missions.
## **A Challenge, Yet Not the Conclusion**
Despite the obstacles faced, **Athena** was successful in fulfilling some mission goals before its batteries were exhausted. According to Intuitive Machines, mission controllers expedited various program and payload milestones, including NASA’s **PRIME-1 suite**, prior to the lander’s loss of power. However, it remains uncertain whether the instrument was able to perform significant scientific analysis.
NASA has recognized that these commercial lunar missions entail **considerable risks but also substantial rewards**. The agency is compensating firms like Intuitive Machines an average of **$100 million or less per flight**, which is a small fraction of the expenses of conventional NASA missions. The objective is to **establish a cost-efficient and dependable route to the Moon**, even if initial missions encounter failures.
## **Looking Forward: Upcoming Lunar Ventures**
Although the **Athena** mission did not fulfill all its aims, it is improbable that this will mark the end for Intuitive Machines. NASA has already pledged funds for **a third and fourth mission** with the company, with the next launch potentially occurring in **early 2026**. Additionally, NASA has commissioned Intuitive Machines to create a **lunar satellite network** for communication and navigation.
While the company faces challenges ahead, its prospects remain bright. As NASA continues its efforts toward **human exploration of the Moon**, commercial partners like Intuitive Machines will be essential in facilitating these missions. Although the **Athena** mission may have concluded, the insights gained will aid in future successes within lunar exploration.
