Latest news with #TrentMartin
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Intuitive Machines is hoping for a moon-landing streak this week
A Houston-based space company just released a tantalizing sneak preview — an image sequence of its robotic spacecraft flying over the moon's south pole, near its planned landing site. The destination is Mons Mouton, one of NASA's potential landing locations for its Artemis astronauts. Intuitive Machines' Athena moon lander began circling the moon on March 3, just one day after a competitor, Firefly Aerospace, landed on the lunar surface without a hitch. This marks Intuitive Machines' second journey to the moon, following its success last year in becoming the first business — rather than a government space program — to touch down on the surface without crashing so badly it ended the mission. But telling the flight controllers to "break a leg" might not be the good-luck wish they want to hear ahead of Athena's descent: Even though its uncrewed Odysseus lander was able to send back some data in 2024, it damaged one of its struts and ended up on its side. The latest mission, referred to as IM-2 or PRIME-1, is slated for a moon landing at 11:32 a.m. CT on March 6. Intuitive Machines and NASA will provide live event coverage, starting at 10:30 a.m. CT. SEE ALSO: A company is returning to the moon. Here's how it will avoid tipping again In the video above, the Athena lander can be seen flying over the lunar south pole near its intended landing site. If it succeeds in getting to the surface, the company's mission will be among the first onsite demonstrations of resource detection on the moon. A drill and mass spectrometer, a device that identifies the kinds of elements or particles in a substance, will measure the potential presence of gasses in the lunar soil. A Laser Retroreflector Array on the top deck of the lander also will bounce laser light back at any orbiting or incoming spacecraft to give future missions a permanent reference point on the moon. Other instruments will test a surface communications system and deploy a drone that can hop along the lunar surface. Athena is the second Commercial Lunar Payload Services-supported lander of the year. The NASA program has invested $2.6 billion in contracts with private-sector vendors to help deliver instruments to the moon and send back crucial data. Athena flies over the mid-latitudes of the moon in the above image sequence. But landing on the moon remains onerous. The moon's exosphere provides virtually no drag to slow a spacecraft down as it approaches the ground. Furthermore, there are no GPS systems on the moon to help guide a craft to its landing spot. A combination of gravity and inertia factors seemed to stymie Intuitive Machines' previous landing. Everything on the moon is "six times tippier," said Phil Metzger, a planetary scientist at the University of Florida, then in a post on X. The Japanese moon lander SLIM, short for Smart Lander for Investigating the Moon, experienced a similar outcome. "Why did we end up at a 30 degree angle? We know exactly why we did," Trent Martin, senior vice president of Intuitive Machines' space systems, told reporters during a news conference. "There was an issue with the laser altimeter that we used during the final operation just before landing that would have told us exactly how close we were to the surface." When Intuitive Machines' Odysseus lander touched down on the moon in 2024, landing gear had broken off from one of the robotic spacecraft's six struts. Credit: Intuitive Machines Instead of using the laser altimeter, flight controllers actually were using the camera systems on board the spacecraft, which were less accurate, ultimately resulting in a harder landing than planned. Martin said an investigation into the spacecraft data resulted in 85 upgrades, including contingencies that should allow Athena to land up to 10 degrees off in any direction — perhaps more — and still complete the mission objectives. Meanwhile, NASA is trying to troubleshoot problems with another spacecraft that shared a rocket with Athena. Engineers were able to establish communication with NASA's Lunar Trailblazer in space the day of its launch, only to lose it the next morning, Feb. 27. NASA said the team is working with ground stations to reestablish telemetry and assess power system issues to try to fix it. The space agency hasn't since provided an update on the spacecraft.
Associated Press
05-03-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Aitech Plays a Key Role in Intuitive Machines IM-2 Mission to Deliver Infrastructure Assets to the Lunar Surface
Space-Proven System-Level Solutions Enhance Communication and Data Processing for IM-2 Mission Focused on Human Missions and Sustainable Presence on Lunar Surface CHATSWORTH, Calif., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Aitech, a leading provider of rugged embedded systems for use in military aerospace and space platforms, today announced it provided the avionics computer system in support of the Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission to the Moon's south pole region. The mission is sending its Nova-C class lunar lander, Athena, to test technologies and collect data to enable future exploration. IM-2 is set to demonstrate lunar mobility, resource prospecting, and analysis of volatile substances from subsurface materials—a key component for establishing a sustainable infrastructure on the lunar surface and in space. Intuitive Machines aims to provide the diverse space services required to commercialize the Solar System, starting with the Moon. The Houston-based company used Aitech's space-rated computing system to help facilitate critical data processing for Intuitive Machines' lunar lander. Athena incorporates enhancements including the integration of lidar technology and advanced autonomous landing through machine learning and artificial intelligence enabled through Aitech's space-rated computing. The IM-2 mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, helping lay the foundation for human missions and a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface. 'With trillions of miles flown in space successfully, Aitech has supported the most demanding space applications,' said Ralph Grundler, space director of Aitech. 'We are proud to take part in the IM-2 mission to support its objectives, yet another proof point for Aitech's rugged space system solutions that provide reliable performance for the most unforgiving environments.' The space-rated system developed by Aitech includes its SP0-S space-rated single board computer, S740 radiation tolerant communications PMC board, and S730, a rugged space-rated SpaceWire card. Aitech provided the complete conduction-cooled hardware for the Nova-C avionics system for use as both a payload controller and image data processor. Intuitive Machines utilized this dual SP0-S setup to respectively run both VxWorks RTOS and Linux to execute its time-critical software while processing video data streams down to a NAND flash storage module. This unique dual SBC system leverages RS-422, SpaceWire cameras, and NAND flash storage in an all-in-one space-rated avionics system. 'A reliable, space-rated computing system plays a vital role in supporting critical data processing aboard Athena for the IM-2 mission,' said Intuitive Machines Senior Vice President of Space Systems, Trent Martin. 'Aitech's advanced computing solutions offer the space-proven performance needed to help enable reliable communications and mission success, contributing to the delivery of critical infrastructure assets to the Moon's surface and paving the way for future exploration.' More about the Aitech Space-Rated System and IM-2 A key objective of IM-2 is the deployment of NASA's TRIDENT Drill and MSolo mass spectrometer to probe up to 1 meter beneath the lunar surface, demonstrating the technology needed to detect life-sustaining volatiles like water and CO2. Additionally, the mission introduces innovative mobility capabilities with Intuitive Machines' Micro Nova Hopper, named Grace, enabling up to 2 kilometers of traversal from the lander, capture detailed surface imagery and crater exploration. Supporting the overall IM-2 mission deliverables, Aitech's space-rated system includes the SP0-S, a radiation-tolerant 3U CompactPCI SBC developed to handle high-performance processing and enhanced memory storage in orbit. In addition, Aitech's SP0-S architecture supports up to seven additional cards on the CompactPCI backplane providing clock, arbitration, and interrupt servicing, including additional SP0-S SBCs as peripheral processors, as implemented on Athena. The system for IM-2 also features Aitech's S740 rad tolerant communications conduction-cooled PCI mezzanine card (PMC) designed with 16 input and 16 output differential channels of RS-422 and utilizes the onboard FPGA logic to interface to external spacecraft sensors and devices for the mission. To reduce bottlenecks as information is collected via detailed surface imaging, the S740 is designed with a protected onboard PCI Bus DMA controller for input and output data packet buffering. Rounding out the computing requirements, Aitech's rad tolerant S730 SpaceWire PMC Card offers three SpaceWire ports with initiator and target capability and has provisions to add on RS422 serial interfaces and 32 GPIOs for complete system communication. About Aitech Leveraging four decades of experience providing reliable, rugged embedded systems for use in military, aerospace, and space platforms, Aitech is the world's first independent, open systems architecture, COTS/MOTS innovator offering customized boards as building blocks for integrated computing and networking subsystems. Offering customization services for rugged and severe environment military, aerospace, and space applications, Aitech delivers mission-optimized and proven system solutions across Sea, Land, Air, and Space domains. Aitech solutions are used by industry leaders like Airbus, BAE Systems, Boeing, Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL), Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Larsen & Toubro Limited (L&T), Leonardo, Lockheed Martin, NASA, Northrop Grumman, Rafael, and Virgin Galactic.
Nahar Net
27-02-2025
- Science
- Nahar Net
Private company rockets toward moon in latest rush of lunar landing attempts
by Naharnet Newsdesk 27 February 2025, 13:15 A private company launched another lunar lander Wednesday, aiming to get closer to the moon's south pole this time with a drone that will hop into a jet-black crater that never sees the sun. Intuitive Machines' lander, named Athena, caught a lift with SpaceX from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It's taking a fast track to the moon — with a landing on March 6 — while hoping to avoid the fate of its predecessor, which tipped over at touchdown. Never before have so many spacecraft angled for the moon's surface all at once. Last month, U.S. and Japanese companies shared a rocket and separately launched landers toward Earth's sidekick. Texas-based Firefly Aerospace should get there first this weekend after a big head start. The two U.S. landers are carrying tens of millions of dollars' worth of experiments for NASA as it prepares to return astronauts to the moon. "It's an amazing time. There's so much energy," NASA's science mission chief Nicky Fox told The Associated Press a few hours ahead of the launch. This isn't Intuitive Machines' first lunar rodeo. Last year, the Texas company made the first U.S. touchdown on the moon in more than 50 years. But an instrument that gauges distance did not work and the lander came down too hard and broke a leg, tipping onto its side. Intuitive Machines said it has fixed the issue and dozens of others. A sideways landing like last time would prevent the drone and a pair of rovers from moving out. NASA's drill also needs an upright landing to pierce beneath the lunar surface to gather soil samples for analysis. "Certainly, we will be better this time than we were last time. But you never know what could happen," said Trent Martin, senior vice president of space systems. It's an extraordinarily elite club. Only five countries have pulled off a lunar landing over the decades: Russia, the U.S., China, India and Japan. The moon is littered with wreckage from many past failures. The 15-foot (4.7-meter) Athena will target a landing 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the lunar south pole. Just a quarter-mile (400 meters) away is a permanently shadowed crater — the ultimate destination for the drone named Grace. Named after the late computer programming pioneer Grace Hopper, the 3-foot (1-meter) drone will make three increasingly higher and longer test hops across the lunar surface using hydrazine fueled-thrusters for flight and cameras and lasers for navigation. If those excursions go well, it will hop into the nearby pitch-black crater, an estimated 65 feet (20 meters) deep. Science instruments from Hungary and Germany will take measurements at the bottom while hunting for frozen water. It will be the first up-close peek inside one of the many shadowed craters dotting both the north and south poles. Scientists suspect these craters are packed with tons of ice. If so, this ice could be transformed by future explorers into water to drink, air to breathe and even rocket fuel. NASA is paying $62 million to Intuitive Machines to get its drill and other experiments to the moon. The company, in turn, sold space on the lander to others. It also opened up the Falcon rocket to ride-sharing. Tagalongs included NASA's Lunar Trailblazer satellite, which will fly separately to the moon over the next several months before entering lunar orbit to map the distribution of water below. Also catching a ride was a private spacecraft that will chase after an asteroid for a flyby, a precursor to asteroid mining.
Yahoo
27-02-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Private company rockets toward the moon in the latest rush of lunar landing attempts
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — A private company launched another lunar lander Wednesday, aiming to get closer to the moon's south pole this time with a drone that will hop into a jet-black crater that never sees the sun. Intuitive Machines' lander, named Athena, caught a lift with SpaceX from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It's taking a fast track to the moon — with a landing on March 6 — while hoping to avoid the fate of its predecessor, which tipped over at touchdown. Never before have so many spacecraft angled for the moon's surface all at once. Last month, U.S. and Japanese companies shared a rocket and separately launched landers toward Earth's sidekick. Texas-based Firefly Aerospace should get there first this weekend after a big head start. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The two U.S. landers are carrying tens of millions of dollars' worth of experiments for NASA as it prepares to return astronauts to the moon. 'It's an amazing time. There's so much energy,' NASA's science mission chief Nicky Fox told The Associated Press a few hours ahead of the launch. This isn't Intuitive Machines' first lunar rodeo. Last year, the Texas company made the first U.S. touchdown on the moon in more than 50 years. But an instrument that gauges distance did not work and the lander came down too hard and broke a leg, tipping onto its side. Intuitive Machines said it has fixed the issue and dozens of others. A sideways landing like last time would prevent the drone and a pair of rovers from moving out. NASA's drill also needs an upright landing to pierce beneath the lunar surface to gather soil samples for analysis. 'Certainly, we will be better this time than we were last time. But you never know what could happen,' said Trent Martin, senior vice president of space systems. It's an extraordinarily elite club. Only five countries have pulled off a lunar landing over the decades: Russia, the U.S., China, India and Japan. The moon is littered with wreckage from many past failures. The 15-foot (4.7-meter) Athena will target a landing 100 miles (160 kilometers) from the lunar south pole. Just a quarter-mile (400 meters) away is a permanently shadowed crater — the ultimate destination for the drone named Grace. Named after the late computer programming pioneer Grace Hopper, the 3-foot (1-meter) drone will make three increasingly higher and longer test hops across the lunar surface using hydrazine fueled-thrusters for flight and cameras and lasers for navigation. If those excursions go well, it will hop into the nearby pitch-black crater, an estimated 65 feet (20 meters) deep. Science instruments from Hungary and Germany will take measurements at the bottom while hunting for frozen water. It will be the first up-close peek inside one of the many shadowed craters dotting both the north and south poles. Scientists suspect these craters are packed with tons of ice. If so, this ice could be transformed by future explorers into water to drink, air to breathe and even rocket fuel. NASA is paying $62 million to Intuitive Machines to get its drill and other experiments to the moon. The company, in turn, sold space on the lander to others. It also opened up the Falcon rocket to ride-sharing. Tagalongs included NASA's Lunar Trailblazer satellite, which will fly separately to the moon over the next several months before entering lunar orbit to map the distribution of water below. Also catching a ride was a private spacecraft that will chase after an asteroid for a flyby, a precursor to asteroid mining. ___ The Associated Press Health and Science Department receives support from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Science and Educational Media Group and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The AP is solely responsible for all content.
Voice of America
27-02-2025
- Science
- Voice of America
Private company's craft rockets toward moon in latest rush of lunar landing attempts
A private company launched another lunar lander Wednesday, aiming to get closer to the moon's south pole this time with a drone that will hop into a black crater where the sun never shines. Intuitive Machines' lander, named Athena, caught a lift with SpaceX from NASA's Kennedy Space Center. It's taking a fast track to the moon, with a landing on March 6. The company hopes to avoid the fate of Athena's predecessor, which tipped over at touchdown. Never before have so many spacecraft angled for the moon's surface all at once. Last month, U.S. and Japanese companies shared a rocket and separately launched landers toward the moon. The lander from the U.S. company, Firefly Aerospace of Texas, should get there first this weekend. The two U.S. landers are carrying tens of millions of dollars' worth of experiments for NASA as it prepares to return astronauts to the moon. "It's an amazing time. There's so much energy," NASA science mission chief Nicky Fox told The Associated Press a few hours ahead of the launch. Last year, Texas-based Intuitive Machines made the first U.S. touchdown on the moon in more than 50 years. But an instrument that gauges distance did not work, and the lander came down too hard and broke a leg, tipping onto its side. Intuitive Machines said it has fixed that issue and dozens of others. A sideways landing like last time would prevent a drone and a pair of rovers from moving out. A NASA drill that's aboard also needs an upright landing to be able to pierce the lunar surface and gather soil samples for analysis. "Certainly, we will be better this time than we were last time. But you never know what could happen," said Trent Martin, senior vice president of space systems. It's an extraordinarily elite club. Only five countries have pulled off a lunar landing over the decades: Russia, the U.S., China, India and Japan. The moon is littered with wreckage from many past failures. The 4.7-meter (15-foot) Athena will target a landing 160 kilometers (100 miles) from the lunar south pole. Just 400 meters (a quarter mile) away is a permanently shadowed crater — the ultimate destination for the drone named Grace. Named after the late computer programming pioneer Grace Hopper, the 1-meter (3-foot) drone will make three increasingly higher and longer test hops across the lunar surface using hydrazine-fueled thrusters for flight and cameras and lasers for navigation. If those excursions go well, it will hop into the nearby pitch-black crater, an estimated 20 meters (65 feet) deep. Science instruments from Hungary and Germany will take measurements at the bottom while hunting for frozen water. It will be the first up-close peek inside one of the many shadowed craters dotting both the north and south poles. Scientists suspect these craters are packed with tons of ice. If so, this ice could be transformed by future explorers into water to drink, air to breathe and even rocket fuel. NASA is paying $62 million to Intuitive Machines to get its drill and other experiments to the moon. The company, in turn, sold space on the lander to others. It also opened up the Falcon rocket to ride-sharing. Tagalongs included NASA's Lunar Trailblazer satellite, which will fly separately to the moon over the next several months before entering lunar orbit to map the distribution of water below. Also catching a ride was a private spacecraft that will chase after an asteroid for a flyby, a precursor to asteroid mining.
