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The Guardian - US
The Guardian - US
Science
Ian Sample Science editor, and Richard Luscombe

Athena spacecraft lands on moon but struggles with undiagnosed problem

Athena probe approaches the moon
The Athena probe is thought to have landed closer to the south pole than any previous lunar mission. Photograph: Intuitive Machines LLC/AFP/Getty Images

The Athena robotic spacecraft touched down on the lunar surface on Thursday in the second moon landing for the US space company Intuitive Machines in little more than a year.

An as-yet-undiagnosed problem following its descent, however, left the craft at “an incorrect attitude”, with mission managers telling an afternoon press conference that they were unable to predict to what extent the operation of Athena and its various payloads will be affected.

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