1 month ago
Last Updated:February 27, 2025, 12:21 IST
SpaceX is on a launch spree in 2025 and its third lunar mission for the year marks a new strategy to chart new objectives for the Moon.
The third Lunar mission of 2025 from SpaceX took off on Thursday morning. (Photo: SpaceX/X)
SpaceX successfully launched the IM-2 mission on Thursday, marking the third moon landing mission of 2025. The mission, led by Intuitive Machines, carries the 'Athena' Nova-C class lunar lander and is a key step in lunar exploration.
The much-anticipated launch took place at 5:46 AM (Indian Time) from Cape Canaveral aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, beginning its journey toward the Moon’s South Pole. This mission plays a crucial role in NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a long-term human presence on the Moon, as well as the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.
“Lighting the way to the Moon: As Intuitive Machines’ lander lifts off aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, it takes with it NASA science and tech. Its mission? To help us better understand the lunar environment in preparation for future human explorers," NASA shared a post on X about the successful launch.
SpaceX IM-2 Mission: Know More
The IM-2 mission is equipped with a variety of scientific tools that are intended to collect vital information on the lunar surface, especially around Mons Mouton. The highest mountain on the Moon with an official name is Mons Mouton.
Mons Mouton, where the Athena lander is headed, is an important target for collecting information that will guide future human lunar missions. In addition, March 6 is the anticipated date of the touchdown.
The Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) rover from Lunar Outpost and the Intuitive Machines Micro-Nova Hopper are two lunar mobility vehicles that are part of the expedition.
The mission is anticipated to use the Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA) and the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1) suite as main instruments to investigate the composition of the lunar soil and look for signs of water ice.
To further enhance technology, the mission will also use Grace, a tiny hopping robot, to investigate shadowed craters. Furthermore, the Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft, which is already on board, will set out on its mission to map the water on the moon from orbit.
Intuitive Machines has been awarded $62 million by NASA to deliver its drill and other tests to the moon. The company then sold other people's space on the lander. Additionally, the Falcon rocket became available for ride-sharing.
Location :United States of America (USA)
First Published:February 27, 2025, 12:21 IST
News tech SpaceX Launches Third Moon Landing Mission With Athena Lander: All Details
