SpaceX launches Athena lander for lunar exploration mission

SpaceX launched a Falcon 9 rocket carrying the Athena lander from Intuitive Machines to the Moon on February 27, 2025. The launch occurred at 19:16 local time from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The Athena module is set to land on the Moon on March 6 and will operate for about 10 Earth days. It will carry scientific instruments, including cameras and a drilling rig, and deploy a Nokia 4G transmitter. This mission aims to enhance lunar exploration and establish a cellular communication station on the Moon, improving data transmission for future missions.