# Intuitive Machines-2

> lunar lander built by Intuitive Machines targeting the lunar south pole

**Wikidata**: [Q124545375](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q124545375)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IM-2)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/intuitive-machines-2

## Summary
Intuitive Machines-2 (IM-2) is a lunar lander built by Intuitive Machines, targeting the lunar south pole. It is an instance of the Nova-C class of lunar landers and is part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. The lander was launched on a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket and carried the PRIME-1 scientific instrument.

## Key Facts
*   **Type:** Lunar lander, an instance of the Nova-C class.
*   **Manufacturer:** Intuitive Machines, originating from the United States.
*   **Operators:** Intuitive Machines and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
*   **Launch:** Launched on February 27, 2025, at 00:16:30 UTC from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A by a Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1083.9) vehicle.
*   **Landing:** Landed on the Moon on March 6, 2025, at 17:28:50 UTC, specifically at Mons Mouton in the lunar south pole region (coordinates: -85 latitude, -31 longitude).
*   **Dimensions:** It has a height of 4.759 meters and a diameter of 1.588 meters (4.330 meters with the undercarriage).
*   **Mass:** The launch weight was 2120 kilograms, with a payload mass of 130 kilograms.
*   **Power:** Powered by solar cells (200 units) and one VR900 unit.
*   **Mission End:** Mission termination occurred on March 7, 2025, at 06:15 UTC, following a loss of signal.
*   **Predecessor/Successor:** It was preceded by Intuitive Machines-1 and is to be followed by Intuitive Machines-3.
*   **Payload:** Carried the PRIME-1 scientific instrument.
*   **Aliases:** Also known as IM-2, CLPS-3, and Athena.

## FAQs
### Q: What is Intuitive Machines-2?
A: Intuitive Machines-2 (IM-2) is a lunar lander developed by Intuitive Machines. It is designed to target and land in the lunar south pole region as part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.

### Q: Who built and operated Intuitive Machines-2?
A: Intuitive Machines-2 was built by Intuitive Machines, a company based in the United States. It was operated jointly by Intuitive Machines and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

### Q: When was Intuitive Machines-2 launched and when did it land on the Moon?
A: Intuitive Machines-2 was launched on February 27, 2025, at 00:16:30 UTC. It successfully landed on the Moon on March 6, 2025, at 17:28:50 UTC.

### Q: Where did Intuitive Machines-2 land on the Moon?
A: Intuitive Machines-2 landed at Mons Mouton, located in the lunar south pole region. Its target coordinates were -85 latitude and -31 longitude.

### Q: What scientific instruments did Intuitive Machines-2 carry?
A: Intuitive Machines-2 carried the PRIME-1 scientific instrument as part of its mission to the lunar south pole.

## Why It Matters
Intuitive Machines-2 represents a significant step in commercial lunar exploration and the broader Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. As a privately built and operated lunar lander, its mission to the lunar south pole demonstrates the growing capabilities of commercial entities in space exploration. The lunar south pole is a region of high scientific interest, and IM-2's mission to this area, carrying the PRIME-1 scientific instrument, contributes to gathering crucial data about this unexplored part of the Moon. Its successful launch and landing, despite the eventual mission termination, provide valuable experience and data for future lunar missions, both commercial and governmental, paving the way for sustained human and robotic presence on the Moon. It builds upon the experience of its predecessor, Intuitive Machines-1, and informs the development of future missions like Intuitive Machines-3.

## Notable For
*   **Targeting the Lunar South Pole:** Specifically aimed for a landing at Mons Mouton in the lunar south pole region, a key area of scientific interest.
*   **Second Intuitive Machines Lander:** Represents the second lunar lander developed by Intuitive Machines, following Intuitive Machines-1.
*   **Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Mission:** Part of NASA's program to contract commercial companies for lunar deliveries, highlighting private sector involvement in space.
*   **Carrying PRIME-1:** Transported the PRIME-1 scientific instrument to the lunar surface for research.
*   **Specific Launch and Landing Dates:** Achieved launch on February 27, 2025, and a lunar landing on March 6, 2025.

## Body

### Overview
Intuitive Machines-2, also known by its aliases IM-2, CLPS-3, and Athena, is a lunar lander developed by the American company Intuitive Machines. It is an instance of the Nova-C class of lunar landers. The primary objective of IM-2 was to target and land in the lunar south pole region. The mission was part of the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program.

### Design and Specifications
*   **Class:** Nova-C
*   **Manufacturer:** Intuitive Machines
*   **Country of Origin:** United States
*   **Height:** 4.759 meters
*   **Diameter:** 1.588 meters (4.330 meters with undercarriage)
*   **Mass (Launch Weight):** 2120 kilograms
*   **Payload Mass:** 130 kilograms
*   **Power Source:** 200 solar cell units and 1 VR900 unit

### Mission Details
*   **Launch Date:** February 27, 2025, at 00:16:30 UTC
*   **Launch Vehicle:** Falcon 9 Block 5 (specific vehicle: B1083, flight: B1083.9)
*   **Launch Contractor:** SpaceX
*   **Launch Site:** Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
*   **Landing Date:** March 6, 2025, at 17:28:50 UTC
*   **Landing Location:** Mons Mouton, lunar south pole
*   **Target Coordinates:** Latitude -85, Longitude -31
*   **Operators:** Intuitive Machines and National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
*   **Significant Events:**
    *   Rocket launch: 2025-02-27 from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A
    *   Moon landing: 2025-03-06
    *   Loss of signal: 2025-03-07
    *   Mission termination: 2025-03-07
*   **Service Retirement:** March 7, 2025, at 06:15 UTC (due to mission termination)
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2025-038A
*   **NSSDC ID:** PRIME-1

### Relationships
*   **Preceded By:** Intuitive Machines-1 (a lunar lander targeting the Malapert-A crater)
*   **Followed By:** Intuitive Machines-3 (a lunar lander targeting the Reiner Gamma region)
*   **Part Of:** Commercial Lunar Payload Services program
*   **Related Classes:** Nova-C (model of lunar lander), Falcon 9 Block 5 (launch vehicle)

### Scientific Instruments
*   Intuitive Machines-2 carried the PRIME-1 scientific instrument.

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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/nova-c_im2.htm)
2. Jonathan's Space Report
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=PRIME-1)
4. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/news-release/nasa-receives-some-data-before-intuitive-machines-ends-lunar-mission/)
5. [Source](https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/athena-makes-it-to-the-moon-but-uncertainties-remain/)
6. [Source](http://www.collectspace.com/news/news-030625a-intuitivie-machines-im2-athena-moon-landing.html)
7. [Source](https://www.intuitivemachines.com/im-2)
8. [Source](https://97e97b55-dd53-4bc9-92cd-8e2cbfc75af8.usrfiles.com/ugd/97e97b_5c02c547fc4040138934e263a3ee0eda.pdf)
9. [Source](https://www.cnn.com/science/live-news/moon-landing-intuitive-machines-im2#cm7wal5hq001p3b6mjb1ezxrc)