Intuitive Machines Athena Lunar Lander: Falcon 9 Liftoff | NASA Kennedy

Intuitive Machines Athena Lunar Lander: Falcon 9 Liftoff | NASA Kennedy

A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket has launched the Intuitive Machines IM-2 Mission, featuring the Athena Lunar Lander, from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Launch Pad 39A in Florida. Liftoff was at 7:16 p.m. Eastern Time (ET).

Watch the launch live here→:
http://spacex.com/launches/mission/?missionId=im-2

In case of unfavorable launch conditions, such as inclement weather, backup opportunities will be determined based on the lunar blackout window and other factors.

The Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission lunar lander, named Athena, is carrying PRIME-1 and other NASA technology demonstrations and science investigations. Athena’s mission is designed to validate resource prospecting, mobility, and communications infrastructure in the Moon’s Mons Mouton region, one of nine potential Artemis III landing sites.

Follow IM-2 Mission Updates:

https://www.intuitivemachines.com/im-2

Commanded using Intuitive Machines’ commercial Lunar Data Network, IM-2 will be the Company’s second of four manifested lunar missions as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (“CLPS”) initiative. Through the CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign, NASA is leveraging American companies to send scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the Moon, advancing our understanding of the Moon and planetary processes, while paving the way for future crewed missions. 

Learn more about NASA's CLPS Program:
https://www.nasa.gov/content/commercial-lunar-payload-services

Image Credit: Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX)

Duration: 25 seconds
Capture Date: Feb. 26, 2025

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