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Credit & Copyright: Intuitive Machines
Explanation:
Planet Earth hangs in the background of this space age selfie.
The snapshot was captured by the
IM-2 Nova-C lander Athena,
just after stage separation following its February 26
launch
to the Moon.
A tall robotic lander, Athena is scheduled to touch down
on Thursday, March 6, in
Mons Mouton, a plateau
near the MoonÁs South Pole.
The intended landing site is in the central portion of one of the
Artemis
3
potential landing regions.
Athena carries rovers and experiments as part of
NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program,
including a drill intended to explore beneath the lunar surface in
a search for evidence of frozen water.
It also carries a propulsive drone dubbed the
Micro Nova Hopper.
After release to the lunar surface,
the autonomous drone is intended to hop
into a nearby crater and send science data back to the lander.
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January February March |
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NASA Web Site Statements, Warnings, and Disclaimers
NASA Official: Jay Norris. Specific rights apply.
A service of: LHEA at NASA / GSFC
& Michigan Tech. U.
Based on Astronomy Picture
Of the Day
Publications with keywords: Moon
Publications with words: Moon
See also: