this post was submitted on 08 Mar 2025
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296
Athena spacecraft declared dead after toppling over on moon (www.theguardian.com)
submitted 4 days ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]
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[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (2 children)

I don't think it'd matter much. On earth the poles get less light, even in summer, because the angle of the sun is low so it has to pass through more atmosphere. This isn't true on the moon, obviously. The angle will be really low on the south pole, but as long as it's in sunlight it doesn't matter where it is. There are locations on the poles of the moon that never get sunlight, but I suspect it wasn't going there.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago) (1 children)

It landed sideways like 250 meters away from the intended landing zone. Did you know the moon has way more craters than Earth?

Craters = Shadows

The thing ain't got no sunlight yo, and its laying sideways in the shade, so no power...

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I'm pretty sure they didn't expect it to land sideways. Yeah, there are a lot of craters. They can be avoided. Check out how Firefly's guidance system was able to change landing locations to avoid hazards.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

I don't need to check Firefly's guidance system. The Athena team should check into that though, apparently this is their second similar failure.

Send them the email, not me, I'm just a nobody.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 3 days ago

I meant check it out if you want to be informed. Otherwise, why comment if you're admitting you are wilfully ignorant?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago (1 children)

Also, our next lunar eclipse occurs in the next 6 days, how the fuck they expect that to work on solar power in the first place even if it did land correctly?

[–] [email protected] 2 points 3 days ago

I'm certain they were aware of that. They got to the fucking moon. They aren't stupid.