• Shares of Intuitive Machines fall sharply
• CEO says company may delay third lunar landing mission
• NASA supports private lunar spacecraft development

WASHINGTON, March 6 (Reuters) - The second moon landing by Intuitive Machines appears to have suffered the same fate as its first try last year, with data indicating the Athena lander ended on its side on the lunar surface after problems with its laser rangefinders, the U.S. company said on Thursday.

The six-legged Athena lander, carrying 11 payloads and scientific instruments, touched down at a site some 100 miles (160 km) from the lunar south pole after launching atop a SpaceX rocket on February 26 from Florida.

“We don’t believe we’re in the correct attitude on the surface of the moon, yet again,” Steve Altemus, CEO of the Houston-based startup, told a news conference.

Intuitive Machines is one of many companies primed by NASA to return the United States to the moon, with greater private sector involvement seen as a lower cost but higher risk means of spaceflight. The company’s shares were down 36% at around $7 in extended trading after having closed the regular Nasdaq session down 20% at $11.26.