Intuitive Machines sent final commands to its uncrewed Athena spacecraft on Thursday as it closed in on a landing spot near the moon's south pole, the company's second attempt to score a clean touchdown after making a lopsided landing last year.

The robotic lander Athena, developed by intuitive Machines, is set to touch down on the moon near its south pole. If successful, it will be the second U.S. commercial spacecraft to land on the lunar surface within a week.