IM-2 Athena Lander on Moon's Surface | NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

IM-2 Athena Lander on Moon's Surface | NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter

NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) team has spotted the Athena Lander of the Intuitive Machines IM-2 Mission, now ended, near the center of Mons Mouton near the Moon's south pole. 
See the box showing an enlarged view. Athena arrived on March 6, 2025.

The Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera (LROC) acquired this close oblique view of the Athena Lander on March 10, 2025, at 14:52 UTC, bringing it into sharper focus. North and nearside to the right, image width 1,175 meters.

Intuitive Machines Final Update: "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."

"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 the insights and achievements from IM-2 will open this region for further space exploration."

Image Credit: NASA/GSFC/Arizona State University
Image Date: March 10, 2025

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