NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida is abuzz as the countdown begins for Intuitive Machines’ second commercial lunar flight, known as IM-2. Aboard the Falcon 9 rocket is the Athena lunar lander, carrying a range of payloads from NASA and private customers.
The mission, part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and Artemis campaign, aims to further the US presence on the Moon. The IM-2 will deploy several instruments and technologies, including the Lunar Trailblazer and CHIMERA GEO 1, while also carrying payloads from other non-NASA customers.
Weather officials have predicted favorable conditions for launch, with a greater than 95% chance of success. The Falcon 9 rocket is set to liftoff at 7:16 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A.
As the countdown progresses, several critical milestones must be met, including propellant loading, engine ignition, and fairing deployment. Once airborne, the rocket will face moments of peak mechanical stress during Max Q and then undergo a series of burns to propel it into lunar orbit.
The success of IM-2 marks an important step forward for commercial spaceflight on the Moon, and NASA is watching closely as this mission unfolds.
Source: https://www.nasa.gov/blogs/missions/2025/02/26/live-countdown-coverage-begins-for-intuitive-machines-second-commercial-lunar-flight