Athena Module Landing: Kosmonautix.cz Reports on Successful Mission Update

Lunar Exploration Update: Blue Ghost and athena Modules on the Moon

In early March 2025,the lunar surface saw significant activity with the triumphant landings of two modules: firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and Intuitive Machines’ Athena. Blue Ghost touched down in the sea of crisis, while Athena aimed for the South Pole, a region of intense interest due to its potential for water ice deposits.

Image of part of the Athena module on the background of the ground, at the bottom you can see the upper stage of the Falcon 9 rocket (source: intuitive machines)

Athena’s Landing and Initial Uncertainty

Athena’s journey to the moon was facilitated by a Falcon 9 rocket, as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload services (CLPS) programme. A rapid transit saw three motor maneuvers between Feb. 28 and March 3, culminating in a 492-second burn to enter lunar orbit. After 39 orbits to align with optimal lighting conditions, the module initiated its landing sequence on March 6.

Though, the landing was not without its drama. While the engine shutdown was confirmed, there was a period of “dramatic waiting for the data on the state of the module and its location.” Even a press conference held four hours post-landing “did not clarify the situation,” leaving the module’s precise location and condition uncertain. This initial ambiguity underscores the challenges and complexities of lunar missions.

Scientific Instruments and Objectives

Athena is equipped with five cameras designed to capture high-resolution images of the lunar surface. Notably, the mission includes the Czech Minipix TPX3 SPACE detector, a dosimetric device developed by a Czech company with extensive experience in space industry applications.this instrument is crucial for measuring radiation levels, an essential factor for future long-term lunar habitation.

One of the primary objectives of the Athena mission is to search for water ice in the subsurface layers of the South Pole using the Prime-1 drill (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1). The presence of water ice could be a game-changer for future lunar settlements, providing a source of water, oxygen, and rocket fuel.

lunar Rovers: Yaoki’s Imaging Mission

Athena carries two vehicles to be deployed on the lunar surface. The first is the Japanese Yaoki rover, tasked with capturing images of the surrounding terrain. The rover is designed to operate up to 50 meters from the landing site, expanding the observational range of the mission.

The Japanese Yaoki vehicle will soon hit the surface of the moon. (Source: intuitive machines)

Blue Ghost module: Initial Successes

The Lunar Blue Ghost module successfully landed on March 2, 2025.Initial images confirmed the successful deployment of the antenna,improving connection quality. Days after, most devices were launched, including the SCALPSS 1.1 stereoscopic cameras to study flames from the missile engine’s impact on the lunar surface. The first images module also.

Dust Mitigation and Navigation Technology

• An electrodynamic EDS system demonstrated promising results in handling lunar dust, proving vital in future lunar base maintenance.
• The Lunar GNSS Experiment (LUGRE) successfully received signals from global navigation satellite systems, including American GPS and European Galileo, at a distance of 360,000 km. The success of the Italian Space Agency’s technology demonstrator indicates the possibility of establishing navigational systems on the Moon and Mars to determine location and speed.
• A robotic arm successfully collected and transferred regolith samples to LPV devices.

Moon surface image, Blue Ghost shadow and Earth over horizon (Firefly aerospace source)

Sunrise at the place of landing of the lunar module Blue Ghost (NASA source).

The Robotics Regolit sampling arm developed by Honeybee Robotics for the first time touched the surface of the Moon (source: Firefly Aerospace).

Looking Ahead

As lunar exploration continues, the data gathered by these missions is invaluable. With more lunar modules expected to land,there’s potential for captivating events,such as observing the solar eclipse of Earth from the moon,which will have a lunar eclipse on Earth. This prepares the moon path and develops a standard commercial system of transport for industries.

Conclusion

The successful deployment of the Blue Ghost and Athena modules marks a significant step forward in lunar exploration. The data gathered will pave the way for other modules and establish a commercial system for transporting equipment to the moon. To participate in this new wave of future exploration, consider following the mission closely and researching the possibilities of lunar resource utilization.

What are the ethical considerations that should guide our exploration and potential utilization of lunar resources?

Archyde Exclusive: Lunar Exploration’s Next Giant Leap with Dr. Anya Sharma

The recent successful landings of Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost and Intuitive Machines’ Athena on the lunar surface mark a pivotal moment in space exploration. To delve deeper into the importance of these missions and what they mean for the future, we spoke with Dr. Anya Sharma, a leading astrobiologist and lunar resource specialist. Dr. Sharma brings a unique perspective on the scientific and commercial implications of accessing lunar resources.

A Conversation on Lunar Missions

Archyde: Dr. Sharma, thank you for joining us. The successful dual landings of Blue Ghost and Athena are making headlines. What excites you most about these missions?

Dr. Sharma: Thank you for having me.What excites me most is the convergence of scientific finding and commercial capability.Athena’s focus on the lunar South Pole and its potential water ice reservoirs is crucial. If we verify important water ice deposits, it’s a game-changer for establishing a enduring lunar presence. And Blue Ghost’s experiments with dust mitigation and lunar navigation are essential enablers for future lunar habitats and operations.

Athena and the Hunt for Water Ice

Archyde: Athena is particularly focused on finding water ice using the Prime-1 drill. How crucial is this water ice for future lunar settlements?

Dr. Sharma: It’s absolutely vital. Water ice isn’t just about drinking water. it can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen, providing breathable air and, more importantly, rocket fuel. Having a source of propellant on the moon dramatically reduces the cost and complexity of missions for lunar exploration and deep space travel.

Blue Ghost’s advancements on Lunar Technology

archyde: The Blue ghost mission also had some impressive results. Can you elaborate on advancements like the dust mitigation system and the Lunar GNSS Experiment (LUGRE),and how they are going to affect the future?

Dr.Sharma: Certainly. Lunar dust is a major challenge. it’s abrasive, gets into everything, and can damage equipment. Blue Ghost’s EDS system showing promising results will be substantially critically important for lunar base maintenance.Additionally,the Lunar GNSS Experiment demonstrates the possibility of establishing navigation systems on the Moon and Mars,making it easier to determine location and speed.

Yaoki Rover’s Imaging Mission

Archyde: Athena carries the Japanese Yaoki rover for capturing lunar surface images. What are the goals for the imaging mission,and how does it help build our understanding of the lunar surroundings?

Dr. Sharma: The Yaoki rover’s imaging mission provides a close-up, detailed look at the lunar surface around Athena’s landing site. This helps us characterise the terrain, identify potential hazards, and understand the distribution of surface materials. Analyzing these images will inform future landing site selection and resource assessment efforts.

The commercialization of Space

Archyde: These missions are part of NASA’s CLPS program,which emphasizes commercial partnerships.How do you see the commercialization of lunar exploration evolving?

Dr. Sharma: I see it as essential. By leveraging the innovation and efficiency of the private sector, we can accelerate the pace of lunar exploration and development. Companies like Firefly Aerospace and Intuitive Machines are pioneering new technologies and approaches, driving down costs and opening up opportunities for a wide range of commercial activities on the Moon, such as resource extraction, manufacturing, and tourism.

Looking towards the Future

Archyde: Looking ahead, what are the biggest challenges and opportunities you see in lunar exploration?

Dr. Sharma: One of the biggest challenges is establishing reliable infrastructure on the Moon – power, communication, and transportation. Another key challenge is radiation shielding. Though, these challenges also present enormous opportunities for innovation. We need to develop new technologies and approaches to overcome these hurdles and unlock the full potential of the Moon as a platform for scientific discovery and economic activity.

Archyde: a thought-provoking question for our readers: What ethical considerations should guide our exploration and potential utilization of lunar resources? we encourage our readers to share their thoughts in the comments below.

Dr. Sharma: That’s a crucial question. We must ensure that our activities on the Moon are sustainable and responsible, minimizing environmental impact and preserving its scientific value. We need to establish clear ethical guidelines and regulations to govern lunar resource utilization and ensure that these activities benefit all of humanity.

Archyde: Dr. Sharma, thank you for sharing your insights with us. It’s an exciting time for lunar exploration, and your expertise provides valuable context.

Dr. Sharma: My pleasure. Thank you for having me.