For the first time in history, three separate landers are simultaneously on their way to the Moon, marking a major milestone in lunar exploration. These missions, launched by different space agencies and private companies, are setting the stage for future human presence on the lunar surface.
On February 26, 2025, the Athena lunar lander successfully lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center in Florida. This mission, developed by Intuitive Machines, is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, an initiative designed to support robotic exploration and resource scouting for future crewed missions.
Athena joins two other landers currently en route: Blue Ghost, launched by Firefly Aerospace on January 15, 2025, and RESILIENCE, a mission led by Japanese company ispace. If all goes according to plan, Blue Ghost will touch down on March 2, followed by Athena on March 6, while RESILIENCE is expected to reach the Moon in May after a slower trajectory.
Following Footsteps
Athena follows in the footsteps of Odysseus, the first lander built by Intuitive Machines, which successfully reached the Moon on February 22, 2024. Despite landing at an angle due to a last-minute navigation issue, Odysseus functioned for one week, transmitting valuable data before shutting down. It was the first American spacecraft to perform a controlled Moon landing since the Apollo era.
Now, Athena aims to land at Mons Mouton, a region near the Moon’s south pole that is of high scientific interest. This area is believed to contain water ice, a crucial resource for future lunar missions. To explore its surroundings, Athena carries:
- Two robotic rovers to analyze the surface
- A “hopping” lander designed to move across different locations
- A drill to extract samples from beneath the lunar surface
The success of these missions will not only provide new scientific insights but also lay the groundwork for sustained human exploration of the Moon, supporting upcoming Artemis missions and the long-term goal of establishing a lunar base.
With Athena, Blue Ghost, and RESILIENCE all approaching the Moon, this is one of the most active periods in lunar exploration since the Apollo program. These robotic landers will test new technologies, scout for resources, and help answer key questions about the Moon’s potential to support human life. As space agencies and private companies ramp up their efforts, one thing is clear: the next chapter of lunar exploration is already underway.
