The Private Mission of the Intuitive Machines started from Cape Canaveral in Florida on Wednesday. A lander called Athena flew towards the moon, which, among other things, is to examine the presence of water under the surface of the Silver Globe.
The probe flew in cosmos On board the Falcon 9 rocket from Spacex. As reported in the announcement NasaAthena Lunar Line Intuitive Machines will spend about a week on the way to the moon. The landing attempt is scheduled for March 6. Then the machine is to settle on the Mons Mouton mountain, which is about 160 km from the southern pole of the moon, which is about 160 km.
Together with Athena on board Falcon 9 there was also NASA orbit orbit orbiter orbit. Its goal is to scan the surface of the silver globe in search of traces of water.
“Jumping” rover
After reaching the surface of the moon ATHEN, with the help of special devices, it is to look for traces of water under the surface of the Silver Globe. The lander also has a “jumping” vehicle on board, equipped with scientific apparatus by Intuitive Machines. The vehicle is separated from the lander and, while jumping, will start examining the surrounding area. Scientists think that there may be ice in constantly shaded fragments of the Arctic Crants, which would be extremely valuable for future manned missions.
Athena is currently the third lander who is heading towards the moon. Already on Sunday, the Firefly Aeorspace Blue Ghost lander is to be made at the next time, also Japanese ispace.
“Humanity has never witnessed three lunar landers on the way to the moon at the same time, and Athena is ready to rise to the challenge,” said the general director of Intuitive Machines Steve Altemu.
PAP, Reuters, NPR, Intuitive Machines
Source of the main photo: Reuters