A new era of lunar exploration is set to begin as the Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission launches on February 26, marking a significant milestone in commercial lunar exploration. The lander, nicknamed Athena, will attempt to enter a permanently shadowed moon crater to search for ice, a key volatile that could be used as rocket fuel and drinking water.
The Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission is set to launch on February 26, marking a significant milestone in commercial lunar exploration. The lander, nicknamed Athena, will attempt to enter a permanently shadowed moon crater to search for ice, a key volatile that could be used as rocket fuel and drinking water.
Commercial Lunar Exploration Takes Center Stage
The IM-2 mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which aims to create a new lunar economy by giving private companies the opportunity to build landers to travel to the moon. The CLPS program has had mixed results so far, but Intuitive Machines is confident that its second mission will be a success.
The IM-2 Landers Instruments and Vehicles
The IM-2 lander is packed with instruments and vehicles designed to explore the lunar surface. These include:
The first successful lunar surface exploration mission was Apollo 11, which landed on July 20, 1969.
Since then, six manned missions have visited the Moon's surface.
The longest duration of a lunar surface stay was nine days by Apollo 17.
The lunar surface is characterized by craters, mountains, and lava flows.
NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter has been orbiting the Moon since 2009, providing detailed topographic maps.
Future plans include returning humans to the Moon by 2024 under the Artemis program.
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A NASA drill called Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) , which will attempt to burrow up to a meter into the ground to look for ice and other materials.
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Two rovers: Yaoki, built by the Japanese company Dymon, and MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) from Lunar Outpost. MAPP has a communications device from Nokia to test 4G/LTE technology on the moon.
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A tiny ant-like robot designed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology that will crawl over the top of the rover to take readings of how it is performing.
Established in 1861, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is a private research university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
With a strong focus on science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), MIT has become one of the world's leading institutions for higher education.
The university has produced numerous 'Nobel laureates, billionaires, and influential figures in various fields.'
Its rigorous academic programs and innovative research have earned MIT a reputation as a hub for innovation and intellectual curiosity.
The Micro Nova Hopper: A Leap into History
One of the most exciting aspects of the IM-2 mission is the Micro Nova Hopper, a machine that will use three engines to ‘jump’ across the surface. Nicknamed Grace, this tiny robot will attempt to enter a permanently shadowed moon crater for 45 minutes and then switch on its spotlight to illuminate the floor before jumping back out.
A micro nova hopper is a type of spacecraft propulsion system that uses electric thrusters to accelerate charged particles, such as xenon gas.
This technology enables more efficient and longer-duration space missions.
The micro nova hopper's compact design allows for easy integration into small satellites and can be powered by solar panels or radioisotope thermoelectric generators.
By using this propulsion method, spacecraft can achieve higher specific impulse and increased mission flexibility.
The Search for Ice
The IM-2 mission is crucial because it will help scientists understand if there is ice in the lunar craters. If sheet ice sitting on the crater’s floor is unlikely, Grace might see hints of ice mixed into the lunar soil. Such a finding would be invaluable for the return of humans to the moon.
A New Era of Lunar Exploration
The IM-2 mission highlights the broad commercial partnerships that might be possible on upcoming lunar missions. Aside from Nokia and other companies mentioned, there is another unusual partner on the lander: Columbia Sportswear. The company has provided two fabric-like covers for the IM-2 mission based on its clothing brands.
Conclusion
The IM-2 mission marks a significant milestone in commercial lunar exploration. With its array of instruments and vehicles, it will help scientists understand if there is ice in the lunar craters. If successful, this mission could pave the way for future Artemis missions to collect some of the ice on the moon‘s surface.
In addition to its scientific importance, the IM-2 mission also highlights the potential for commercial partnerships on upcoming lunar missions. The success of this mission will depend on various factors, including the performance of the Micro Nova Hopper and the instruments on board.
