Uploaded March 2025 | Updated September 2026, 4 days ago
It's now been confirmed that the Athena lunar lander's altimeter failed around the time the spacecraft reached the Moon. This instrument is key in the process of determining the lander's distance from the surface, which it then uses during the final landing maneuver.
Without it, the Athena spacecraft didn't know its distance from the ground, which no doubt had an impact on the lander tipping over and sliding into its final resting place in a crater.
For more space-related content check out - thespacebucket.com
Credit:
Intuitive Machines - youtube.com/@UCfoMtQsGz6G_qBkmkiZc4gQ
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - Altimeter Failure
4:36 - CEO Statement
It's now been confirmed that the Athena lunar lander's altimeter failed around the time the spacecraft reached the Moon. This instrument is key in the process of determining the lander's distance from the surface, which it then uses during the final landing maneuver.
Without it, the Athena spacecraft didn't know its distance from the ground, which no doubt had an impact on the lander tipping over and sliding into its final resting place in a crater.
For more space-related content check out - thespacebucket.com
Credit:
Intuitive Machines - youtube.com/@UCfoMtQsGz6G_qBkmkiZc4gQ
Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:29 - Altimeter Failure
4:36 - CEO Statement
