Launch Ready: Intuitive Machines Athena Lunar Lander in SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

Launch Ready: Intuitive Machines Athena Lunar Lander in SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket

Intuitive Machines, Inc, a space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, announced that its IM-2 mission lunar lander, named Athena, carrying PRIME-1 and other NASA technology demonstrations and science investigations, will launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center no earlier than February 26, 2025. In case of unfavorable launch conditions, such as inclement weather, backup opportunities will be determined based on the lunar blackout window and other factors.

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. 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

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

Image Credit: Intuitive Machines
Release Date: Feb. 21, 2025

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