Intuitive Machines’ second attempt at landing on the moon has reportedly ended with the Athena lander lying on its side, similar to its first attempt last year. Data indicates issues with the lander’s laser rangefinders, and the mission faces setbacks despite the technology advancements. The company plans to regroup and potentially delay its third lunar mission, which was scheduled for the following year.

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• Intuitive Machines’ second moon landing attempt, using the Athena lander, encountered issues similar to its first attempt in 2024.
• The Athena lander was launched on February 26, 2025, from Florida atop a SpaceX rocket.
• After landing on the moon’s surface, the lander appeared to be on its side, as data indicated it was not upright.
• The six-legged Athena carried 11 payloads and scientific instruments, landing around 100 miles (160 km) from the lunar south pole.
• CEO Steve Altemus confirmed that the lander’s position was off-nominal, with power generation issues due to its tilted position.
• The laser rangefinders, used to measure distances, faced challenges, further complicating the mission.
• The landing targeted a precise time, but telemetry showed the engine was still running as the lander appeared to hover before finally touching down.
• Shares of Intuitive Machines saw a sharp decline, down 36% during extended trading following the landing failure.
• Despite the challenges, Intuitive Machines’ Chief Technology Officer highlighted successful flight and progress in crater-recognition algorithms.
• Intuitive Machines may delay its third lunar landing mission to deploy a communication satellite and resolve technical issues.