Intuitive Machines lander arrives on the Moon, but on its side
Why it matters: The machine aims to help gather critical data for NASA's Artemis missions to the Moon.
The project is part of a NASA program that utilizes public-private partnerships to lay the foundation for a sustained human lunar presence.
Driving the news: Intuitive Machines, a space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, said that its IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, landed 250 meters from its intended landing site.
The company said this was the southernmost lunar landing ever achieved, which is significant because NASA plans on sending astronauts to the Moon's southern lunar pole.
Yes, but: Being on its side prevents the sunlight from reaching solar panels intended to recharge its battery.
Mission controllers were able to deploy some experiments and payloads on the lunar surface before the battery depleted entirely.
Catch up quick: The company landed its IM-1 vehicle on the Moon in 2024, but the machine tipped over upon touchdown, cutting the mission short.
The IM-2 was launched by the SpaceX Falcon 9 in late February and orbited the Moon 39 times before landing on Thursday.
What they're saying: "Our goal is to set American companies up to establish a lunar economy on the surface, and that means that even if it doesn't land perfectly, we always learn lessons that we can provide and use in the future," Nicola Nicky Fox, associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA, said during a news conference after the landing.
What's next: The mission has concluded, but scientists will continue to assess data collected from the lander.
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