US company Intuitive Machines is set to again make history as its Athena lander attempts a landing on the Moon today, at 9.32pm UAE time.
If successful, it will mark the company's second Moon landing after the Odysseus mission in 2024 and the second commercial lunar landing in just a few weeks.
The mission for hydrogen, known as IM-2, is part of Nasa's Commercial Lunar Payload Services programme, which contracts private companies to deliver scientific instruments and technology to the lunar surface.
“Athena continues to be in excellent health in low lunar orbit. She’s completed 24 of her 39 orbits, waiting for the Sun to rise on her Mons Mouton landing site,” the company posted on social media on Wednesday. Nasa and Intuitive Machines will broadcast the landing attempt, with the stream set to begin at 8.30pm on their websites and social media channels.
Landing near the lunar south pole
Athena will attempt to touch down in the Mons Mouton region, a plateau near the Moon’s south pole, for a 10-day mission. The landing site has been chosen because of its scientific significance, particularly the possibility of water ice deposits beneath the surface.
Water ice is considered a crucial resource for future lunar exploration, as it could be converted into oxygen for breathing, hydrogen for fuel and water for drinking.
After Intuitive Machines’ previous mission had navigation issues that led to a slightly off-target landing, the company has made improvements to ensure Athena’s descent is as precise as possible.
If the mission succeeds, it will demonstrate the increasing reliability of commercial lunar landers, with Nasa and other space agencies relying more on private companies for lunar deliveries and future deep-space missions in this modern space era.
Firefly, another American company that is part of Nasa’s CLPS programme, successfully landed its Blue Ghost lunar lander on March 2.
Scientific goals and payloads
Athena is carrying a range of payloads that will test new technology, including Nasa’s Prime-1 experiment, which involves the Trident drill and MSolo mass spectrometer. These tools will attempt to drill into the lunar surface and analyse potential water ice deposits.
One of the most highly anticipated parts of the mission is when the lander will deploy Micro-Nova, a small robotic hopper named Grace, designed to explore difficult-to-reach areas of the Moon.
Shortly after landing, the hopper will detach from Athena and make its way to a permanently shadowed crater about 500 metres from the main landing site. This crater, which has never been exposed to sunlight, is believed to contain water ice.
Micro-Nova will use its propulsion system to hop across the lunar surface, which allows it to navigate rugged terrain that traditional wheeled rovers cannot access. Once inside the crater, it will scan for hydrogen, a key indicator of water ice.
Athena is also carrying technology from other Nasa clients, including a rover by Lunar Outpost. Nokia will also be testing its first lunar cellular network.
THE SPECS
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Classification of skills
A worker is categorised as skilled by the MOHRE based on nine levels given in the International Standard Classification of Occupations (ISCO) issued by the International Labour Organisation.
A skilled worker would be someone at a professional level (levels 1 – 5) which includes managers, professionals, technicians and associate professionals, clerical support workers, and service and sales workers.
The worker must also have an attested educational certificate higher than secondary or an equivalent certification, and earn a monthly salary of at least Dh4,000.
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg result:
Ajax 2-3 Tottenham
Tottenham advance on away goals rule after tie ends 3-3 on aggregate
Final: June 1, Madrid
The five pillars of Islam
1. Fasting
2. Prayer
3. Hajj
4. Shahada
5. Zakat
GAC GS8 Specs
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Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm
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The years Ramadan fell in May
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How to protect yourself when air quality drops
Install an air filter in your home.
Close your windows and turn on the AC.
Shower or bath after being outside.
Wear a face mask.
Stay indoors when conditions are particularly poor.
If driving, turn your engine off when stationary.
THE CLOWN OF GAZA
Director: Abdulrahman Sabbah
Starring: Alaa Meqdad
Rating: 4/5
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Trump v Khan
2016: Feud begins after Khan criticised Trump’s proposed Muslim travel ban to US
2017: Trump criticises Khan’s ‘no reason to be alarmed’ response to London Bridge terror attacks
2019: Trump calls Khan a “stone cold loser” before first state visit
2019: Trump tweets about “Khan’s Londonistan”, calling him “a national disgrace”
2022: Khan’s office attributes rise in Islamophobic abuse against the major to hostility stoked during Trump’s presidency
July 2025 During a golfing trip to Scotland, Trump calls Khan “a nasty person”
Sept 2025 Trump blames Khan for London’s “stabbings and the dirt and the filth”.
Dec 2025 Trump suggests migrants got Khan elected, calls him a “horrible, vicious, disgusting mayor”
Desert Warrior
Starring: Anthony Mackie, Aiysha Hart, Ben Kingsley
Director: Rupert Wyatt
Rating: 3/5
UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Results:
5pm: Abu Dhabi Fillies Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1.400m | Winner: AF Mouthirah, Tadhg O’Shea (jockey), Ernst Oertel (trainer)
5.30pm: Abu Dhabi Colts Classic (PA) Prestige Dh 110,000 1,400m | Winner: AF Saab, Antonio Fresu, Ernst Oertel
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7pm: Wathba Stallions Cup (PA) Handicap Dh 70,000 2,200m | Winner: AF Kafu, Tadhg O’Shea, Ernst Oertel
7.30pm: Handicap (PA) Dh 100,000 2,400m | Winner: Brass Ring, Fabrice Veron, Ismail Mohammed
UK’s AI plan
- AI ambassadors such as MIT economist Simon Johnson, Monzo cofounder Tom Blomfield and Google DeepMind’s Raia Hadsell
- £10bn AI growth zone in South Wales to create 5,000 jobs
- £100m of government support for startups building AI hardware products
- £250m to train new AI models
MATCH INFO
Uefa Champions League semi-final, second leg
Real Madrid (2) v Bayern Munich (1)
Where: Santiago Bernabeu, Madrid
When: 10.45pm, Tuesday
Watch Live: beIN Sports HD
Tips for newlyweds to better manage finances
All couples are unique and have to create a financial blueprint that is most suitable for their relationship, says Vijay Valecha, chief investment officer at Century Financial. He offers his top five tips for couples to better manage their finances.
Discuss your assets and debts: When married, it’s important to understand each other’s personal financial situation. It’s necessary to know upfront what each party brings to the table, as debts and assets affect spending habits and joint loan qualifications. Discussing all aspects of their finances as a couple prevents anyone from being blindsided later.
Decide on the financial/saving goals: Spouses should independently list their top goals and share their lists with one another to shape a joint plan. Writing down clear goals will help them determine how much to save each month, how much to put aside for short-term goals, and how they will reach their long-term financial goals.
Set a budget: A budget can keep the couple be mindful of their income and expenses. With a monthly budget, couples will know exactly how much they can spend in a category each month, how much they have to work with and what spending areas need to be evaluated.
Decide who manages what: When it comes to handling finances, it’s a good idea to decide who manages what. For example, one person might take on the day-to-day bills, while the other tackles long-term investments and retirement plans.
Money date nights: Talking about money should be a healthy, ongoing conversation and couples should not wait for something to go wrong. They should set time aside every month to talk about future financial decisions and see the progress they’ve made together towards accomplishing their goals.
Islamophobia definition
A widely accepted definition was made by the All Party Parliamentary Group on British Muslims in 2019: “Islamophobia is rooted in racism and is a type of racism that targets expressions of Muslimness or perceived Muslimness.” It further defines it as “inciting hatred or violence against Muslims”.
The bio
Favourite book: Peter Rabbit. I used to read it to my three children and still read it myself. If I am feeling down it brings back good memories.
Best thing about your job: Getting to help people. My mum always told me never to pass up an opportunity to do a good deed.
Best part of life in the UAE: The weather. The constant sunshine is amazing and there is always something to do, you have so many options when it comes to how to spend your day.
Favourite holiday destination: Malaysia. I went there for my honeymoon and ended up volunteering to teach local children for a few hours each day. It is such a special place and I plan to retire there one day.
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AWARDS
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Zayed Sustainability Prize
Killing of Qassem Suleimani
Zayed Sustainability Prize
