NASA and SpaceX to Launch Athena to Moon

A robotic moon lander, Athena, is set to launch into space, marking the second lunar mission for Texas-based Intuitive Machines. This mission follows the company’s historic first private moon landing in February 2024. Athena will carry scientific instruments to study the chemical composition of lunar soil and search for subsurface water in the Moon’s south polar region. It is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which fosters private-sector lunar exploration.

Key Highlights of the Athena Mission

Launch Details

• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Launch Date & Time: February 26, 2025, at 7:17 PM ET
• Launch Site: NASA’s Kennedy Space Center, Florida
• Estimated Landing Date: March 6, 2025

Mission Objectives

• Study the chemical makeup of lunar rocks and soil.
• Search for subsurface water in the lunar south pole, aiding future lunar habitation.
• Test Nokia’s 4G communication system for potential lunar network connectivity.
• Deploy multiple lunar rovers and a hopping drone for terrain analysis.

Landing Site

• Targeted for Mons Mouton, a plateau in the Moon’s south polar region.
• This area is significant due to potential water ice deposits in permanently shadowed craters.

Scientific Payloads & Technologies

• MAPP Rover (by Lunar Outpost) – A suitcase-sized rover to capture 3D images of the terrain.
• AstroAnt Mini Rover (by MIT) – A tiny robot riding on MAPP’s roof, monitoring temperature.
• Grace Hopping Robot – Designed to hop 650 feet across the lunar surface, scanning for ice and hydrogen.
• Lunar Trailblazer Satellite (by NASA) – Launched alongside Athena to map water distribution on the Moon.

Other Key Space Missions This Week

• February 27, 2025 – NASA launches the SPHEREx space observatory to study the origins of the universe.
• February 28, 2025 – SpaceX aims to launch its Starship megarocket on its 8th test flight.
• March 1-2, 2025 – Firefly Aerospace’s robotic moon lander attempts a lunar landing.