posted 04-09-2025 08:39 AM               

Intuitive Machines Selects SpaceX to Launch its Fourth Lunar Lander Mission and Lunar Data Relay Satellites

Intuitive Machines has recently selected SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket to launch its fourth lunar delivery mission ("IM-4") from Florida. The IM-4 mission is expected to include the launch of two lunar data relay satellites intended to support NASA's Near Space Network Services ("NSNS") contract.

"Lunar surface delivery and data relay satellites are central to our strategy to commercialize the Moon," said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus. "In addition to the contracted NSNS service, the satellites are capable of hosting additional payloads and science sensors to serve commercial industry and other government customers. We plan to deploy the first of five lunar data relay satellites on our third mission, which will introduce our pay-by-the-minute service. The two additional satellites on our fourth mission are intended to scale that service, followed by two additional deployments to complete the constellation and fully support NASA and commercial lunar operations."

As previously announced, the IM-4 surface delivery mission is currently scheduled for 2027 and is set to carry six NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services ("CLPS") initiative payloads, including a European Space Agency-led drill suite designed to search for water at the lunar south pole.

NASA has awarded Intuitive Machines multiple task orders under the agency's NSNS contract for communication and navigation services. The awards call for Intuitive Machines to provide Direct-to-Earth ("DTE") services and a lunar data relay constellation to support NASA's Artemis campaign.