# PRIME-1 (Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1)

**Type:** NASA lunar ISRU demonstration program  
**Status:** Failed (March 2025)  
**Primary Hardware:** TRIDENT (The Regolith and Ice Drill for Exploring New Terrain)  
**Mission:** First planned flight demonstration of ISRU drilling hardware in lunar environment  

## Overview
PRIME-1 was NASA's first attempt to demonstrate in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) drilling and extraction technology on the lunar surface. The experiment was designed to drill into lunar regolith at the south pole, extract material, and analyze it with an onboard mass spectrometer to characterize water ice content and distribution.

## Timeline
- **2025-02-26** — Launched aboard Intuitive Machines IM-2 (Athena lander)
- **2025-03-06** — Athena lander reached lunar surface but tipped over due to altimeter failure; TRIDENT drill extended but not operated
- **2025-03-07** — Mission ended due to power depletion; zero ISRU data collected

## Technical Details
**TRIDENT drill specifications:**
- Successfully demonstrated full range of motion in space environment during transit
- Never operated on lunar surface due to lander orientation
- Mass spectrometer component also did not operate

## Significance
The PRIME-1 failure means lunar ISRU has zero successful surface flight demonstrations as of 2026. All ISRU TRL assessments remain based entirely on terrestrial simulation with no validation of simulation-to-reality gaps in actual lunar conditions.

## Related Programs
- Part of NASA's broader lunar ISRU development roadmap
- Carried on CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) mission

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*Last updated: 2025-03-07*