Intuitive Machines Executes Southernmost Lunar Landing and Operates Payloads
Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR) has successfully completed its IM-2 mission, achieving the southernmost lunar landing in history. The lunar lander Athena touched down 250 meters from its intended landing site in the Mons Mouton region of the lunar south pole, inside a crater.
While the lander ended up on its side after landing, mission controllers successfully accelerated several program milestones, including operating NASA's PRIME-1 suite of payloads before battery depletion. Due to the sun's direction, solar panel orientation, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, Athena is not expected to recharge.
The mission has concluded, marking a significant achievement in accessing this challenging region characterized by harsh sun angles, Earth communication, and rugged terrain. The insights gained from IM-2 are expected to facilitate future exploration of the lunar south pole region.
Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR) ha completato con successo la sua missione IM-2, raggiungendo il punto più a sud della Luna nella storia. Il lander lunare Athena è atterrato a 250 metri dal sito di atterraggio previsto nella regione di Mons Mouton del polo sud lunare, all'interno di un cratere.
Sebbene il lander si sia trovato su un lato dopo l'atterraggio, i controllori della missione hanno accelerato con successo diversi traguardi del programma, inclusa l'operazione del pacchetto di strumenti PRIME-1 della NASA prima dell'esaurimento della batteria. A causa della direzione del sole, dell'orientamento dei pannelli solari e delle temperature estremamente fredde nel cratere, non ci si aspetta che Athena si ricarichi.
La missione si è conclusa, segnando un risultato significativo nell'accesso a questa regione difficile caratterizzata da angoli di sole estremi, comunicazione con la Terra e terreno accidentato. Le informazioni ottenute da IM-2 si prevede possano facilitare future esplorazioni della regione del polo sud lunare.
Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR) ha completado con éxito su misión IM-2, logrando el aterrizaje más al sur en la historia lunar. El módulo lunar Athena aterrizó a 250 metros de su sitio de aterrizaje previsto en la región de Mons Mouton del polo sur lunar, dentro de un cráter.
A pesar de que el módulo terminó de lado tras el aterrizaje, los controladores de la misión aceleraron con éxito varios hitos del programa, incluyendo la operación del conjunto de cargas útiles PRIME-1 de la NASA antes de que se agotara la batería. Debido a la dirección del sol, la orientación de los paneles solares y las temperaturas extremadamente frías en el cráter, no se espera que Athena se recargue.
La misión ha concluido, marcando un logro significativo en el acceso a esta región desafiante caracterizada por ángulos de sol extremos, comunicación con la Tierra y terreno accidentado. Se espera que los conocimientos adquiridos de IM-2 faciliten la futura exploración de la región del polo sur lunar.
인튜이티브 머신스 (Nasdaq: LUNR)는 IM-2 임무를 성공적으로 완료하며 역사상 가장 남쪽의 달 착륙을 달성했습니다. 달 착륙선 아테나는 남극의 몽 무통 지역에서 예정된 착륙 지점에서 250미터 떨어진 지점에 착륙했습니다.
착륙 후 착륙선이 옆으로 누운 상태가 되었지만, 임무 제어팀은 배터리가 고갈되기 전에 NASA의 PRIME-1 장비 세트를 운영하는 등 여러 프로그램 이정표를 성공적으로 가속화했습니다. 태양의 방향, 태양광 패널의 방향, 그리고 극한의 추운 온도 때문에 아테나가 재충전될 것으로 예상되지 않습니다.
이번 임무는 극단적인 태양 각도, 지구와의 통신, 험준한 지형으로 특징 지어지는 이 도전적인 지역에 접근하는 데 있어 중요한 성과를 기록하며 종료되었습니다. IM-2에서 얻은 통찰력은 향후 달 남극 지역 탐사를 촉진할 것으로 예상됩니다.
Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR) a réussi à terminer sa mission IM-2, réalisant le plus au sud des atterrissages lunaires de l'histoire. Le module lunaire Athena a atterri à 250 mètres de son site d'atterrissage prévu dans la région de Mons Mouton au pôle sud lunaire, à l'intérieur d'un cratère.
Bien que le module se soit retrouvé sur le côté après l'atterrissage, les contrôleurs de mission ont réussi à accélérer plusieurs étapes importantes du programme, y compris l'exploitation de la suite de charges utiles PRIME-1 de la NASA avant l'épuisement de la batterie. En raison de la direction du soleil, de l'orientation des panneaux solaires et des températures extrêmement froides dans le cratère, il n'est pas prévu qu'Athena se recharge.
La mission est maintenant terminée, marquant un accomplissement significatif dans l'accès à cette région difficile caractérisée par des angles de soleil extrêmes, une communication avec la Terre et un terrain accidenté. Les informations recueillies lors de l'IM-2 devraient faciliter l'exploration future de la région du pôle sud lunaire.
Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR) hat seine IM-2-Mission erfolgreich abgeschlossen und den südlichsten Mondlandung in der Geschichte erreicht. Die Mondlandefähre Athena landete 250 Meter von ihrem vorgesehenen Landeplatz in der Region Mons Mouton am südlichen Mondpol, innerhalb eines Kraters.
Obwohl die Landefähre nach der Landung auf der Seite lag, konnten die Missionskontrolleure mehrere Programm-Meilensteine erfolgreich beschleunigen, einschließlich des Betriebs des NASA PRIME-1-Payloads vor der Entladung der Batterie. Aufgrund der Sonnenrichtung, der Ausrichtung der Solarpanels und der extrem kalten Temperaturen im Krater wird nicht erwartet, dass Athena sich wieder auflädt.
Die Mission ist abgeschlossen und stellt einen bedeutenden Erfolg beim Zugang zu dieser herausfordernden Region dar, die durch extreme Sonnenwinkel, Kommunikation mit der Erde und unwegsames Gelände gekennzeichnet ist. Die Erkenntnisse aus IM-2 sollen die zukünftige Erkundung der Region am südlichen Mondpol erleichtern.
- Achieved historic southernmost lunar landing
- Successfully operated NASA's PRIME-1 suite payloads
- Landed within 250 meters of target site in challenging terrain
- Gathered valuable data for future south pole exploration
- Lander ended up on its side after touchdown
- Mission ended prematurely due to battery depletion
- Unable to recharge due to solar panel orientation
- operational capability in crater conditions
HOUSTON, March 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, has announced 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. This was the southernmost lunar landing and surface operations ever achieved.
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.
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is a diversified space exploration, infrastructure, and services company focused on fundamentally disrupting lunar access economics. In 2024, Intuitive Machines successfully landed the Company’s Nova-C class lunar lander, Odysseus, on the Moon, returning the United States to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. The Company’s products and services are offered through its four in-space business units: Lunar Access Services, Orbital Services, Lunar Data Services, and Space Products and Infrastructure. For more information, please visit intuitivemachines.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
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FAQ
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