This photo was released today by Intuitive Machines, seemingly taken by their Athena IM-2 mission lander.
The lander clearly tipped over, but otherwise looks OK. But it can't recharge, so is functionally dead.
As far as I know, this is the first photo ever taken from the lunar south polar region.
The lander clearly tipped over, but otherwise looks OK. But it can't recharge, so is functionally dead.
As far as I know, this is the first photo ever taken from the lunar south polar region.
Comments
See those flat roundy things at the end that are sticking up into space?
They're supposed to be on the ground.
You're welcome!
I mean, if they can use them in Robot Wars...
Oh.
Wait....
Tough break.
But, although IM has now successfully *sort of* landed on the Moon twice, they're 0/2 for successfully *fully* landing and being able to fulfill their science objectives.
Hopefully there will soon be lunar orbiter imagery to confirm location.
Maybe they should put solar panels on the bottom of the landing legs. Always seem to be poking in the air (sorry)
"Oh but the extra mass for bearings and gimbles and doodads and whatnots and gizmos!"
Me: [points at photo]
I am fully anthropomorphizing this spacecraft and I feel bad for the lil' guy 😢