A private lunar lander, Athena, has sent back breathtaking images of Earth from space, capturing a unique view of our planet shortly after its launch. Built by Intuitive Machines, the lander lifted off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Florida’s Space Coast on February 26,

Intuitive Machines' second lunar lander, named Athena, snapped some amazing shots of its home planet shortly after launching atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on Feb. 26.

Intuitive Machines designed and will operate the Athena lunar lander on the company's second voyage to the moon's south pole to hunt for water.

Intuitive Machines' second moon lander was launched on Wednesday atop a SpaceX rocket, setting off for the latest private U.S. moonshot one year after the company's first attempt ended early with a lopsided landing.

The lunar lander built by aerospace company Intuitive Machines launched Wednesday on an eight-day journey for its water-hunting mission on the moon.

The IM-2 mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:16 p.m. ET, February 26, 2025. Athena reached her intended orbit approximately 44 minutes later and established first communication at approximately 8:17 p.m. ET.

With the launch of Intuitive Machines’ Athena, three lunar landers are en route to the moon for the first time in history.

Three private lunar landers are on their way to the moon right now, a surge of exploration never before seen in spaceflight history.

The American company achieved the first successful moon landing by a private spacecraft last year. Now, it has sent a new mission to the south pole, carrying science instruments for NASA