Athena, a spacecraft from Intuitive Machines, has reportedly landed on the moon, pending confirmation of its operational status. This mission, along with Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost, marks a significant increase in U.S. lunar presence, vital for future crewed Artemis missions. Athena's launch was on February 26, achieving lunar orbit by March 3, and it culminated in a landing attempt on March 6. Despite a busy mission control room amidst uncertainties about the vehicle's condition, the event is seen as a precursor to more ambitious lunar exploration efforts.
"If and when Intuitive Machines can conclusively declare that Athena has reached the moon in good health, it will have joined Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost, another commercial lander that made its moonfall on Sunday."
"The spacecraft launched on February 26 and entered lunar orbit on March 3... It then started its descent from orbit for landing early in the morning on March 6."
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