Flight controllers try to confirm Intuitive Machines probe’s status in firm’s second lunar landing in just over a year

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.