March 7, 2025 10:52 AM

US startup’s moonshot apparently lands on its side – again

The second moon landing by Intuitive Machines appears to have suffered the same fate as its first try last year, with data indicating the Athena lander ended on its side on the lunar surface after problems with its laser rangefinders, the U.S. company said on Thursday. The six-legged Athena lander, carrying 11 payloads and scientific instruments, touched down at a site some 100 miles (160 km) from the lunar south pole after launching atop a SpaceX rocket on February 26 from Florida. "We don't ...