SpaceX to launch Intuitive Machines’ 2nd Moon lander, 3 rideshare spacecraft – Spaceflight Now
Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander, named Athena, is prepared for encapsulation inside SpaceX Falcon 9 payload fairings. Beneath the lander are rideshare payloads from Epic Aerospace (front), AstroForge (right), and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (behind). Image: SpaceX via Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is preparing to head back to the Moon following its first trip a year ago.
The company based in Houston, Texas, will send another of its Nova-C class vehicles to attempt a landing no earlier than March 6 and begin a 10-Earth day-long mission. The mission begins with a launch onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket scheduled for no earlier than Feb. 26 at 7:16 p.m. EST (0016 UTC).
This is the fourth mission to launch as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Program. It’s ...