Live Now: Athena Moon Lander Attempts South Pole Touchdown

Today, March 6, 2025, the private Athena moon lander, built by Intuitive Machines, is scheduled to attempt a historic touchdown near the moon’s south pole in the Mons Mouton region. This mission, known as IM-2, is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program and aims to explore the lunar surface for water ice and other resources critical for future human missions. The landing is targeted for 12:32 p.m. EST (5:32 p.m. GMT), and you can watch it live through several platforms.

Live coverage is available on Space.com’s homepage, NASA’s NASA+ streaming service, and the Intuitive Machines YouTube channel. NASA’s coverage begins at 11:30 a.m. EST, about an hour before the expected touchdown, providing updates and commentary as the lander approaches the lunar surface. The lander has been in lunar orbit since March 3, and its precise insertion has eliminated the need for additional course corrections, setting the stage for this ambitious landing attempt closer to the south pole than any previous mission.

Athena carries a suite of scientific instruments, including a drill, two rovers, and a “hopper” named Grace, designed to investigate the lunar terrain and search for water ice. This mission builds on Intuitive Machines’ previous success with the Odysseus lander in 2024, aiming for a more stable and dynamic exploration of the moon’s south pole region. Tune in to witness this significant step in lunar exploration!

Watch Live - IM-2 Mission Live Landing

Here's a breakdown of the key details regarding the Athena moon lander:

• Mission Overview:
  • The Athena lander is a private lunar lander developed by Intuitive Machines.
  • This mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative, which supports the broader Artemis program.
  • The primary goal is to explore the Moon's south pole region, particularly focusing on searching for water ice.
• Landing Site:
  • Athena is scheduled to land near the Moon's south pole, specifically at Mons Mouton.
  • This area is of significant interest due to the potential presence of water ice, a crucial resource for future human missions.
• Payload:
  • The lander carries various scientific instruments, including:
    • A deep-digging drill.
    • A mass spectrometer to analyze lunar soil composition.
    • A hopping spacecraft named Grace.
    • A small rover called MAPP.
• Live Coverage:
  • NASA and Intuitive Machines are providing live coverage of the landing.
  • You can find live coverage on NASA+ and through Intuitive Machines' channels.
  • To find precise times for the landing and live coverage, checking NASA's official webpage is recommended.
• Significance:
  • This mission represents a significant step in commercial lunar exploration.
  • It contributes to NASA's efforts to establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon.

To stay up to date with the most current information, I recommend checking these resources:

• NASA's official website: NASA.gov
• Intuitive Machines' website and social media channels.

I hope this information is helpful.