New lunar mission to demonstrate search for water ice at Moon's south pole

US-based Intuitive Machines has announced its lunar mission IM-2, set for launch on 27 February 2025, which aims to explore the Moon’s south pole for water ice. The mission will utilize the Athena lander equipped with NASA’s TRIDENT drill and a mass spectrometer to detect life-sustaining volatiles. The project’s funding comes from the German Space Agency at DLR with support from the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action, highlighting its significance for sustainability in space exploration.