Intuitive Machines is gearing up for its IM-2 lunar mission, set to launch from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center between February 26 and early March 2025. Following the successful IM-1 mission, which made Intuitive Machines the first private company to land on the Moon back on February 22, 2024, the new mission promises to push boundaries even farther, thanks to new technology partnerships and scientific objectives.
This time around, the mission will not only focus on lunar landing but will also establish the first 4G LTE wireless network on the Moon. Partnering with Nokia, the lander, named Athena, will carry the Lunar Surface Communication System (LSCS) – described as a “network in a box,” which will be attached to the side of the lander. The system aims to facilitate communication for multiple rovers deployed on the lunar surface to relay data back to Earth.
The IM-2 mission will target the Moon’s south polar region, particularly near the Shackleton Crater, which is known for its extreme temperature variations ranging from -246°C to 121°C, presenting considerable challenges for equipment functioning properly. Athena has undergone rigorous engineering to withstand such harsh conditions, with features including fourteen thermally isolated mounting points to protect the technology. The rovers, particularly the Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform (MAPP) and the Micro-Nova Hopper (nicknamed Grace), will explore the unique environment and collect samples.
"We’re excited to be part of this groundbreaking initiative, which promises significant advancements not only for lunar exploration but also for future communication systems back on Earth," said Steve Altemus, President and CEO of Intuitive Machines.
Columbia Sportswear has joined forces with Intuitive Machines, providing advanced insulation materials for the Athena lander. The company’s Omni-Heat™ Infinity technology, originally used for winter jackets, will insulate various components of the lander, protecting it from extreme temperatures encountered during the mission.
"Our collaboration with Intuitive Machines demonstrates the real-world applications of innovative insulation technology, proving useful even outside traditional markets," said Haskell Beckham, Vice President of Innovation at Columbia.
On board Athena will also be NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment One (PRIME-1), which is set to test the viability of drilling equipment to search for lunar ice. The drill will operate alongside the mass spectrometer to analyze volatile substances beneath the lunar regolith. The data collected during this mission will be invaluable as NASA and its partners prepare for future manned missions to the Moon.
Intuitive Machines is well aware of the potential learning opportunities involved. Altemus noted, "Every mission we undertake teaches us something new. Having launched IM-1, we now have practical insights which are shaping the mission objectives for IM-2 and beyond. Our previous experience with the lunar surface will guide the way we operate on this mission. "
During the IM-1 mission, the Athena lander tipped slightly upon landing, yet it still managed to gather important scientific data. Such events only reinforce the need for continuous learning as the teams involved pursue innovative ways to accomplish their goals.
Each mission also involves intense collaboration between Intuitive Machines, NASA, and the various payload teams. The synergy has been evident, as personnel from across different institutions work closely, sometimes even sharing expertise across their personal lives. The support network established among these organizations has paved the way for successful operations and data gathering.
"It is truly inspiring to see how seamlessly the teams work together, often going beyond the standard roles," says Sue Lederer, Project Scientist for NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS). "The collaborative nature of this mission sets us on the right track toward building the lunar infrastructure we need for future exploration."
Post-launch, it will take Athena approximately seven days to travel the 385,000 kilometers to the Moon. The process will include several maneuvers to prepare for lunar orbit insertion, after which the lander will scan for safe landing zones using its terrain-relative navigation system.
Once successfully landed, the focus will swiftly shift to deployment and data collection. This includes observations around permanently shadowed regions of the Moon, where the temperature remains extraordinarily low. The IM-2 mission may not only contribute to our scientific undertakings, but could also yield insights applicable to sustainable lunar habitation, as storied goals of the Artemis program progress toward returning humans to the Moon.
These innovations and the partnerships with both established and new entities underline the mission's ambition. By working together, Intuitive Machines, NASA, and commercial companies will glean insights advantageous for both present and future lunar activities.
With anticipation mounting for the upcoming IM-2 mission, the groundwork laid now could redefine communications, resource utilization, and the overall experience of lunar exploration, laying the foundation for future endeavors not just to the Moon, but to Mars and beyond.