Intuitive Machines Stock Sinks for Second Day After Moon Mission Mishap

Shares of Intuitive Machines (LUNR) crashed for a second straight session as the space exploration firm’s lunar lander ran into difficulties after touching down on the Moon’s surface, ending the mission.

The company said the IM-2 “Athena” craft came down 250 meters (820 feet) from its intended landing site, ending up in a crater. Pictures sent from Athena showed it was on its side.

Intuitive Machines explained that because of the direction of the sun, the orientation of the solar panels, and extreme cold temperatures in the crater, the company “does not expect Athena to recharge,” and the mission has concluded. 

Intuitive Machines noted that while Athena was operational, ground controllers were able to accelerate several program and payload milestones, including NASA’s Prime Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) suite. 

The company added that it was studying the data provided, and the work of Athena in the southern pole area of the Moon “will open this region for further space exploration.”

Despite diving 20% each of the last two sessions, Intuitive Machines shares remain up about 75% over the past 12 months.