Athena and the MAPP Rover Are Safely Resting on the Lunar Surface Despite a Shortened Mission...

Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines Executes Southernmost Lunar Landing and Operates Payloads (Press Release)

HOUSTON, TX – Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure and services company, has announced that the IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, landed 250 meters from its intended landing site in the Mons Mouton region of the lunar South Pole, inside of a crater. This was the southernmost lunar landing and surface operations ever achieved.

Images downlinked from Athena on the lunar surface confirmed that Athena was on her side. After landing, mission controllers were able to accelerate several program and payload milestones, including NASA’s PRIME-1 suite, before the lander’s batteries depleted.

With the direction of the Sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Intuitive Machines does not expect Athena to recharge. The mission has concluded and teams are continuing to assess the data collected throughout the mission.

This southern pole region is lit by harsh Sun angles and limited direct communication with the Earth. This area has been avoided due to its rugged terrain, and Intuitive Machines believes that the insights and achievements from IM-2 will open this region for further space exploration.

Source: Intuitive Machines

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Lunar Outpost

Got this in my email just now 🤩

Thank you, Lunar Outpost and Intuitive Machines! Even if the MAPP Rover is unable to deploy from the Athena lander (which I SURELY HOPE it does), both spacecraft are still safely on the surface of the Moon 🌖#IM2 pic.twitter.com/CkHeIROFfb

— Rich Par (@AstroPnoy) March 7, 2025