Intuitive Machines launches lunar lander aiming for moon

Intuitive Machines launched its lunar lander, Athena, on February 27, aiming for a March 6 landing near the moon's south pole. This mission follows a previous attempt where their lander tipped over upon landing. Athena will deploy a drone named Grace to explore a shadowed crater, seeking frozen water. This mission is part of a broader surge in lunar landings, with multiple companies targeting the moon simultaneously. NASA is funding Intuitive Machines with $62 million for this mission, which includes various scientific experiments. The launch also featured other payloads, including NASA's Lunar Trailblazer satellite.