Intuitive Machines lunar lander, Athena, is set for launch this Wednesday aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The private company, which made history last year with the first private lunar landing, is now targeting the moon’s south pole for its second mission.
Looking for New Results
Athena will carry instruments to explore the lunar surface and search for potential water ice deposits and chemical compositions. In the context of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, it encourages private sector involvement in lunar exploration. The landing location, Mons Mouton, is a high-altitude plateau near the south pole of the moon. This region is of great scientific interest due to its potential water ice reserves.
Water ice around the moon’s south pole could greatly impact future space missions. It may be a vital resource for sustaining human life and perhaps promoting space exploration. Athena’s primary goal is to investigate potential subsurface water and assess its viability for future crewed missions.
Using Cutting-Edge Technology
- Athena will use a number of cutting-edge technology, including a 4G communication system created by Nokia that would enable dependable data transfer over the moon.
- Lunar Outpost constructed a rover called MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) with the purpose of taking three-dimensional pictures of the landscape.
- A tiny MIT rover called AstroAnt will orbit MAPP and track the temperature.
- Grace, a hopping drone that can investigate neighboring craters, will examine the existence of hydrogen and ice deposits.
An Active Week for Space Travel
There are other significant space launches taking on this week besides Athena.NASA is preparing to launch the SPHEREx satellite observatory to study the cosmos, while SpaceX is preparing for another test flight of its Starship megarocket. Firefly Aerospace will also attempt to land its own robotic moon lander over the weekend.
Expanding on Previous Achievements
Intuitive Machines’ 2024 lunar trip was a major milestone since it was the first successful American moon landing since Apollo 17 in 1972.However, because its Odysseus lander overturned after impact, data gathering was restricted. The business anticipates a safer landing this time.
NASA intends to transport people and products to the moon via for-profit companies such as Intuitive Machines as part of its private lunar exploration future. The success of Athena might help NASA accomplish its goal of a permanent human presence on the moon and pave the way for future commercial lunar activities, especially in light of the planned Artemis missions.
Source: NBC News
