Intuitive Machines’ Athena Mission Concludes with Sideways Moon Landing

Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based aerospace company, faced a significant setback when its Athena spacecraft landed sideways on the Moon, leading to the mission's conclusion. The incident, which occurred on March 7, 2025, caused the company's stock to plummet by 25% in after-hours trading. Despite the challenging landing, the mission, part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, managed to transmit valuable data back to Earth before its operations ceased.

The Athena spacecraft's sideways landing in a lunar crater was confirmed by NASA and Intuitive Machines, marking the end of the mission that aimed to study the Moon's south pole. The data gathered before the spacecraft's demise will be crucial for future lunar missions. The mishap underscores the complexities and risks associated with lunar landings, even as private companies like Intuitive Machines push the boundaries of space exploration.

This incident has sparked discussions about the future of commercial space missions and their role in advancing scientific knowledge. The stock market's reaction reflects investor concerns about the viability of such ventures, yet the data collected by Athena could pave the way for more successful missions in the future.

• Athena
• Intuitive Machines
• Moon
• NASA

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Related issues news

What time will intuitive machines land on the moon?

Houston-based company Intuitive Machines put its Athena spacecraft on the moon around 12:31 p.m. ET, but the lander's exact status is currently unclear. Mission teams believe the spacecraft likely landed in an incorrect orientation that could prevent it from fully completing its mission.

When does Athena land on the moon?

NASA just said in an update on X that the Athena lander “touched down on the Moon at approximately 12:30 pm ET.”

Who owns Athena Moon Lander?

Intuitive Machines, the Houston-based company that was set to deliver a historic water-hunting mission to the moon's south pole, announced Friday that its Athena lander has powered down just one day after arriving at the lunar surface.

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