Altimeter problems, lighting challenges caused IM-2 lunar lander to fall on its side
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Quick Summary:
- Intuitive Machines’ second lunar lander fell on its side when it landed in March. Company is incorporating lessons learned from IM-2 into its next lander mission. Intuitive Machines is working on an orbital transfer vehicle based on the Nova-C lander. The company also won a $10 million grant from the Texas Space Commission to support work on a lifting body reentry vehicle.
- Intuitive Machines’ Athena lander has touched down on the Moon’s surface but appears to have ended up on its side. Power generation issues due to the lander’s position mean the mission will be “off-nominal,” according to CEO Steve Altemus. The region is eyed by major space powers for its potential for resource extraction once astronauts return to the surface. subsurface water ice could in theory be converted into rocket fuel.
- Intuitive Machines’ Athena moon lander will attempt to touch down near the lunar south pole on March 6. The mission, referred to as IM-2 or PRIME-1 , is set to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Tweaks to the spacecraft should allow it to land 30 degrees off-kilter and still have the high-gain antenna pointed back at Earth.
Country-by-Country Breakdown:
Original Coverage
Intuitive Machines’ second lunar lander fell on its side when it landed in March. Company is incorporating lessons learned from IM-2 into its next lander mission. Intuitive Machines is working on an orbital transfer vehicle based on the Nova-C lander. The company also won a $10 million grant from the Texas Space Commission to support work on a lifting body reentry vehicle. Read full article
Nasa’s private Athena landed on the Moon, but on its side again
Intuitive Machines’ Athena lander has touched down on the Moon’s surface but appears to have ended up on its side. Power generation issues due to the lander’s position mean the mission will be “off-nominal,” according to CEO Steve Altemus. The region is eyed by major space powers for its potential for resource extraction once astronauts return to the surface. subsurface water ice could in theory be converted into rocket fuel. Read full article
A company is returning to the moon. Here’s how it will avoid tipping again
Intuitive Machines’ Athena moon lander will attempt to touch down near the lunar south pole on March 6. The mission, referred to as IM-2 or PRIME-1 , is set to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Cape Canaveral. Tweaks to the spacecraft should allow it to land 30 degrees off-kilter and still have the high-gain antenna pointed back at Earth. Read full article
The Space Review: Lessons from the first CLPS lunar landing missions
Intuitive Machines put the lander into a mode so that, when sunlight returned, it could wake up and start transmitting. Odysseus made a hard landing because its laser rangefinders were not operational. Astrobotic’s Peregrine lander never made it to the Moon. A propellant leak several hours after its January 8 launch ruled out any landing attempt. Read full article
Global Perspectives Summary:
Global media portray this story through varied cultural, economic, and political filters. While some focus on geopolitical ramifications, others highlight local impacts and human stories. Some nations frame the story around diplomatic tensions and international relations, while others examine domestic implications, public sentiment, or humanitarian concerns. This diversity of coverage reflects how national perspectives, media freedom, and journalistic priorities influence what the public learns about global events.
How did your country report this? Share your view in the comments.
Sources:
- Original Article
- Nasa’s private Athena landed on the Moon, but on its side again
- A company is returning to the moon. Here’s how it will avoid tipping again
- The Space Review: Lessons from the first CLPS lunar landing missions
Source: https://spacenews.com/altimeter-problems-lighting-challenges-caused-im-2-lunar-lander-to-fall-on-its-side/