This week will see a new disc in space exploration as Intuitive Machines launch its Athena lunar lander for its IM-2 commission . It will bring together Firefly Aerospace ’s Blue Ghost and ispace ’s Resilience , both presently in space , marking the first function that three lunar Lander have been on their means to the moon at the same time .
“ Humanity has never witnessed three lunar lander enroute to the Moon at the same time , and Athena is ready to rise to the occasion , ” said Steve Altemus , CEO of Intuitive Machines , in a argument . “ This unfathomed chance to make story is n’t solely build on engineering science – it ’s established through the relentless dedication of our people , who have turned the ship’s company ’s words about a dependable meter of lunar missions into action . ”
It is far-famed that all three landers are from individual companies , reflecting the growing pastime in individual lunar exploration . However , landing on the moon is still a considerable challenge , and only one commercial entity has successfully flaccid landed on the moon to date . Intuitive Machines ’ previous lunar lander , Odysseus , became the first U.S. ballistic capsule to down on the moonshine in fifty years when ittouched down on the lunar surfacelast year , though the landing did not go entirely swimmingly and the space vehicle end upon its side . It was still able-bodied to collect some scientific discipline data , but it could only collect limited solar great power due to the positioning of its panels .
Now , Intuitive Machines will have the opportunity to attempt again with its Athena lander . Athena will carry scientific discipline and engineering tests from NASA and is part of NASA ’s push to let in more private companies in outer space geographic expedition . The CLPS ( Commercial Lunar Payload Services ) program aims to get private companies ready to land on and explore the moon , so NASA can use these landers to have a bun in the oven its payloads beforehand of putting people back on the moon in the next few years .
“ Among the items on Intuitive Machines ’ lander , the IM-2 mission will be one of the first on - site monstrance of imagination use on the moon , ” NASA harbinger . “ A drill and raft mass spectrometer will measure the possible bearing of volatile or gases from lunar ground in Mons Mouton , a lunar plateau in the Moon ’s South Pole . In addition , a peaceful Laser Retroreflector Array ( LRA ) on the top deck of the lander will bounce optical maser light back at any orbiting or incoming spacecraft to give future spacecraft a permanent credit stop on the lunar surface . ”
Another fun psychometric test that will be admit with the Athena lander is a hopping drone pipe name Grace . The Micro Nova Hopper is designed to hold humble science shipment and to make use of the moon ’s humbled gravity by deploy and hop across the moonlight ’s open , jump up to 100 meters into the air , allowing effective motion across the jumpy terrain .
Launch of the Athena lander is schedule for a multi - Clarence Day launch window opening on Wednesday , February 26 , with the accurate time yet to be confirmed . The space vehicle will launch using a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at NASA ’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida .
