Intuitive Machines’ Athena Lander Set for Moon Launch, with a Crater-Hopping Drone in Tow

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Approximately a year past, Intuitive Machines created history by being the initial commercial enterprise to successfully touch down a spacecraft on the Moon with its IM-1 mission. The descent of the Odysseus lander onto the lunar surface also signified the first soft U.S. landing since Apollo 17, which was over fifty years prior.

The initial mission among a series of four was undertaken by Intuitive Machines, as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. This program encourages private companies to participate more actively in the space race. By partnering with other organizations, NASA can transport lunar payloads without having to construct specialized spacecraft. Moreover, this collaboration allows for cost savings through shared rides with cargo from businesses and academic institutions.

Currently, the IM-2 spacecraft and its Athena Moon lander are stationed at the launchpad, ready for takeoff on a Falcon 9 rocket, which is planned for no later than February 26. This mission might not rival the epic interstellar voyage of The Ark (now airing on SYFY), but it’s an essential step in NASA’s Artemis program, aiming to reestablish human presence on the Moon within the next few years.

For More on the Moon

Understanding the Lunar Phases and Exercising on the Moon: NASA’s Innovative Ideas

Here, we will discuss the intriguing phenomenon of lunar phases and how astronauts could maintain physical fitness while on the moon. Additionally, we will explore an interesting proposal by NASA to establish a standard time system for the moon with slightly shorter seconds.

In this article, we will unravel the mystery behind the lunar phases and delve into how these cycles occur. Moreover, we will explore the challenges faced by astronauts in maintaining their physical fitness while on the moon’s surface and discuss NASA’s novel solution for keeping them fit. Lastly, we will examine an exciting new proposal to introduce a standard time system on the moon with seconds slightly shorter than those on Earth.

By understanding the lunar phases, the challenges faced by astronauts, and the innovative solutions proposed by NASA, readers can gain insights into the complexities of space exploration and the incredible efforts being made to make it a reality.

Getting to know Intuitive Machines’ Athena lunar lander

As a fervent admirer, I can’t help but share my thoughts about Intuitive Machines’ previous lunar lander, Odysseus. This remarkable craft was intended for a soft landing near the South Pole of our Moon, a region that piques the curiosity of scientists and aspiring lunar explorers alike. Regrettably, en route to our celestial neighbor, there was a hiccup with navigation, leading to an unconventional impact. The lander ended up at an unusual angle, which significantly affected its performance capabilities. However, the mission team exhibited remarkable resilience and managed to get the lander operational on the lunar surface for approximately a week.

Athena will continue where Odysseus stopped, traveling back to the lunar South Pole with fresh scientific tools on board. The lander itself is a tall, hexagonal cylinder, approximately 14 feet high and able to carry up to 285 pounds of equipment to the Moon.

The spacecraft is scheduled to take off from Launch Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral within a 4-day timeframe. If everything goes as planned, it would reach the Moon by March 6, landing approximately 100 miles north of the lunar South Pole.

The main focus of this mission is NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1), aimed at locating and examining water ice buried beneath the Moon’s surface. PRIME operates in a twofold manner, first using the TRIDENT drill (The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain) to extract samples, followed by analysis with the MSolo instrument, which observes lunar activities.

TRIDENT is a 1-meter deep drill specifically engineered for excavating the moon’s surface, leaving tidy mounds of excavated material behind. The mobile lab, MSolo, then examines these mounds to uncover the secrets hidden within the lunar soil at the South Pole. This process will not only reveal what lies beneath the surface but also provide valuable insights into the challenges and possibilities of mining resources on the Moon.

Meet Hopper, Athena’s crater-jumping lunar companion

One of Athena’s additional equipment includes a compact, self-governing lunar drone by Intuitive Machines, designed to traverse and rebound from significant moon craters.

According to Jack Fisher, Vice President of Production and Operations at Intuitive Machines, Hopper is essentially a smaller replica of the lander. It takes off from IM-2, ventures into regions that are constantly shadowed, and then returns. He’s equipped with a compact 4G LTE antenna on top, making him similar to R2-D2. This mini spacecraft carries a sensor designed to detect water ice in the shadowy areas. Fisher shared this information with SYFY WIRE.

As an enthusiast, I’m eagerly anticipating Hopper’s series of progressive test leaps using hydrazine thrusters. Initially, it’ll bound a staggering 65 feet off the lunar surface, then soar even higher at 165 feet, and ultimately reach a breathtaking 330 feet. In its final two jumps, Hopper will plunge into and escape from a 65-feet deep crater. Crossing my fingers, I hope it returns with groundbreaking data about the elusive Moon ice lurking in its permanent shadows.

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2025-02-26 21:02