A private spacecraft that landed lopsided on the Moon is unable to complete its mission due to a lack of power. The company behind the mission, Intuitive Machines, confirmed that the lander, named Athena, cannot recharge its batteries because of its position and the harsh lunar environment.
Athena touched down on the Moon’s South Pole at 17:30 GMT on Thursday but later was revealed to have landed on its side. The spacecraft was supposed to operate for ten days, searching for water ice. However, the misalignment of its solar panels and the freezing temperatures in the region mean it cannot generate enough electricity to function.
Intuitive Machines partnered with NASA on the mission, part of an effort to determine whether humans can one day live on the Moon. “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 company stated.
Despite setbacks, Athena made history by landing further south than any other spacecraft, reaching the Mons Mouton region, 160km from the South Pole. Some of its scientific instruments, including a drill and a mass spectrometer, were briefly activated, potentially gathering useful data.
This mission contrasts with Firefly Aerospace’s successful lunar landing last Sunday. NASA remains committed to working with private firms to reduce costs and advance space exploration, despite the risks. The Artemis programme, aiming to send astronauts to the Moon by 2027, continues moving forward.
