• SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket is scheduled to launch the Athena lunar lander from Kennedy Space Center today.
• The mission aims to explore the Moon's south pole for ice, critical for future manned missions.
• Athena is equipped with a drill, rover, and a unique "hopper” to enhance exploration capabilities.
• NASA's Lunar Trailblazer and other spacecraft are accompanying Athena during its journey.
• Viewers can follow the live launch on NASA+ and SpaceX's channels starting at 6:32 p.m. EST.

In an exciting milestone for commercial space exploration, SpaceX is set to launch Intuitive Machines' Athena lunar lander aboard its Falcon 9 rocket from Forbes at precisely 7:17 p.m. EST today. This mission marks a significant continuation of lunar exploration efforts, following Intuitive Machines’ earlier success with the Odysseus lander, which was the first to land on the Moon by a private entity, despite experiencing a mishap upon touchdown.

The Athena lander is targeted to reach a landing site on the Moon known as Mons Mouton, which is situated approximately 100 miles from the lunar south pole, on March 6. The primary objective of this mission is to conduct a search for ice, a crucial resource for sustaining human presence on the Moon in future missions. NASA has invested in this endeavor under its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, which supports endeavors like the Athena project through various commercial partnerships, emphasizing a trend towards an increasingly collaborative approach to space exploration.

With its versatile payload, the Athena lander comes equipped with advanced technology that includes a drill built to extract lunar soil samples, enabling scientists to analyze materials for signs of frozen water. Furthermore, Athena features a Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover, which will assess the lunar regolith and collect vital data utilizing a 4G communications system developed by Nokia. This innovative network aims to enhance communication capabilities among different lunar missions.

Additionally, a small rocket-powered hopper, known as Grace, is designed to jump up to 300 feet into the Moon's surface and explore hard-to-reach areas. Each stage of its flight will be monitored closely to ensure precision and safety, especially after lessons learned from previous attempts with Odysseus, which had a challenging landing experience.

The mission is anticipated to last roughly ten days, with the solar-powered lander ceasing operations when lunar night arrives. However, on March 14, the lander will enter a brief eclipse while the Earth obscures the solar rays, necessitating the use of battery power during this time.

Live coverage of the Athena lander’s launch and eventual landing will be broadcast on NASA+, as well as via SpaceX's social media platforms. Viewers eager to follow this extraordinary venture can tune in starting at 6:32 p.m. EST for live updates, tracking both the launch and subsequent moon landing.

Athena will not be the only lunar mission this year; two other landers are also en route to the Moon, namely Firefly Aerospace's Blue Ghost and iSpace’s RESILIENCE lander, which are additional efforts under NASA's initiative for lunar exploration.

This mission represents a remarkable step forward in lunar exploration, demonstrating how commercial entities like Intuitive Machines are driving advancements in space technology and exploration capabilities as humanity aims for sustained lunar presence and beyond. Stay updated on CBS News and other sources for more on this historic launch.