IM-2 Athena launches to the Moon on a Falcon 9

Intuitive Machines/Nova-C

Intuitive Machines' Athena lander launched on February 27, 2025, at 00:16 UTC on a SpaceX Falcon 9 toward the Moon's south pole. Designed to search for water ice using the PRIME-1 payload with drill and mass spectrometer, it landed March 6 near Mons Mouton but tipped onto its side in a cold crater, ending the mission within about 13 hours.

• Launch: February 27, 2025, 00:16 UTC on Falcon 9.
• Target: lunar south pole; PRIME-1 payload (drill and mass spectrometer for water ice search).
• Landing: March 6 near Mons Mouton; lander tipped on its side.
• Mission duration: ~13 hours (insufficient solar power in dark, cold crater; one antenna failed).