| Names | IM-2 CLPS-3 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Lunar landing |
| Operator | Intuitive Machines |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | Athena |
| Spacecraft type | Nova-C |
| Manufacturer | Intuitive Machines |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | January 2025 UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| Lunar lander | |
| Landing site | Shackleton connecting ridge[1] |
 IM-2 mission insignia Motto: PRIMUM AD PORTUM (First to Port) | |
IM-2 is an upcoming lunar mission that will be carried out in January 2025 by Intuitive Machines for NASA's CLPS program, using a Nova-C lunar lander.[2] The company named this lander Athena.[3] The mission aims to uncover the presence and amount of lunar water ice using PRIME-1, which consists of a drill and mass spectrometer. The lander will carry a Micro Nova Hopper, a drone that will utilize its neutron spectrometer in the PSR (permanently shadowed region) of the nearby Marston crater. If successful, this would provide the first measurement of hydrogen on the surface in the PSR, a key indicator of water.[4][5]
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
im-5-9-24was invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ David, Leonard (September 12, 2024). "Ice-hunting Lunar Trailblazer and IM-2 nearly ready for January 2025 launch". SpaceNews. Retrieved September 12, 2024.
- ^ "From ancient tales to modern space exploration, our IM-2 mission lander, Athena".
- ^ David, Leonard (June 14, 2024). "Moon ice in the Artemis era: what we still don't know". SpaceNews. Retrieved June 16, 2024.
- ^ "NASA, Intuitive Machines Announce Landing Site Location for Lunar Drill - NASA". November 3, 2021. Retrieved June 16, 2024.