Final preparations are underway for the launch of Intuitive Machines’ first lunar lander mission, the IM-1, in mid-February. The mission will carry payloads from NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program as well as for commercial customers.
Joel Kearns, deputy associate administrator for exploration in NASA’s Science Mission Directorate, expressed excitement about the upcoming launch, stating, ‘In February, America will be taking another step for science and commerce on the surface of the moon. Intuitive Machines is ready to launch their first mission.’
Trent Martin, vice president of space systems at Intuitive Machines, confirmed that the lunar lander, named Odysseus by the company, has been encapsulated within the payload fairing for its Falcon 9 rocket. However, the specific launch date has not been disclosed, with Martin stating that there is a three-day launch period for the mission in mid-February. He mentioned that the company works directly with SpaceX before announcing the exact launch date and time, and that it will be announced in the coming days. Any launch within that three-day period would set up a landing attempt on the moon on Feb. 22.
Notably, NASA initially announced on social media that IM-1 would launch no earlier than Feb. 14, but later deleted the post and replaced it with one indicating the launch would be as soon as mid-February. Additionally, NASA’s separate statement on Jan. 31 mentioned that the Crew-8 commercial crew mission by SpaceX was scheduled for launch as soon as Feb. 22. Both Crew-8 and IM-1 are set to launch from Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39A.
