This orientation prevented the lander's solar panels from capturing enough sunlight, and Intuitive Machines declared Athena dead on March 7. (The company's first moon lander, named Odysseus, also tipped over during its historic February 2024 touchdown but was able to operate for longer on the lunar surface.)

While Earthlings were watching the moon turn blood red during Friday morning’s lunar eclipse, a robotic lander on the moon was looking back and getting a very different – and very rare – view.