Private lunar lander touches down on the moon, but its condition is unknown

A privately owned lunar lander has touched down near the moon’s south pole. But flight controllers in Texas cannot confirm its condition or whether it’s even upright. The last time Intuitive Machines landed a spacecraft on the moon, a year ago, it ended sideways. The company’s newest Athena lander dropped out of lunar orbit as planned Thursday, carrying an ice drill, a drone and two rovers. The hourlong descent appeared to go well. But it took more than 15 minutes for Mission Control to confirm touchdown. Its condition is not yet known. A privately owned lunar lander has touched down near the moon’s south pole. But flight controllers in Texas cannot confirm its condition or whether it’s even upright. The last time Intuitive Machines landed a spacecraft on the moon, a year ago, it ended sideways. The company’s newest Athena lander dropped out of lunar orbit as planned Thursday, carrying an ice drill, a drone and two rovers. The hourlong descent appeared to go well. But it took more than 15 minutes for Mission Control to confirm touchdown. Its condition is not yet known.  AP Technology and Science