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Forum: Satellites - Robotic Probes
Topic: Intuitive Machines IM-2 Nova-C lunar mission

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Message to Edit: HTML is ON UBB Code is ON Smilies Legend	Originally posted by Robert Pearlman on 02-27-2025 08:03 AM Intuitive Machines release <blockquote><font size="+0">[b]ntuitive Machines' IM-2 Lunar Lander Successfully Commissioned and En Route to the Moon[/b]</font> Intuitive Machines has announced its IM-2 mission Nova-C class lunar lander, Athena, launched on SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket and successfully commissioned in space, marking the first time humanity has had three lunar landers en route to the Moon at the same time. <center><a href="http://www.collectspace.com/review/intuitive_machines_im2_athena_commission01-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="http://www.collectspace.com/review/intuitive_machines_im2_athena_commission01.jpg" width="400" height="300" border="0"></a></center> Athena established a stable attitude, solar charging, and radio communications contact with the company's mission operations center in Houston after liftoff on Feb. 26. The lander is in excellent health and preparing for a series of planned main engine firings to refine her trajectory ahead of lunar orbit insertion, which is planned for March 3. Intuitive Machines expects a lunar landing opportunity on March 6. "Athena joining a historic wave of lunar landers on their way to the Moon is an extraordinary moment," said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus. "While the most vital part of this mission lies ahead, we believe this is a signal that lunar services are rapidly advancing alongside civil and commercial intent to establish a foothold on the Moon to reach further into the Solar System." <center><a href="http://www.collectspace.com/review/intuitive_machines_im2_athena_commission02-lg.jpg" target="AirLock"><img src="http://www.collectspace.com/review/intuitive_machines_im2_athena_commission02.jpg" width="400" height="300" border="0"></a></center> The IM-2 mission lifted off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida at 7:16 p.m. ET, February 26, 2025. Athena reached her intended orbit approximately 44 minutes later and established first communication at approximately 8:17 p.m. ET. The Intuitive Machines IM-2 mission is the company's second lunar mission as part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services ("CLPS") initiative, a key part of NASA's Artemis lunar exploration efforts. The science and technology payloads sent to the Moon's surface as part of CLPS intend to lay the foundation for human missions and a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.</blockquote>
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