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| 👁 Image IM-1 Odysseus, a Nova-C lander similar to IM-3 | |
| Names | IM-3 CLPS CP-11 CP-11 |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Lunar landing |
| Operator | Intuitive Machines |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft type | Nova-C |
| Manufacturer | Intuitive Machines |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | First Half 2026 (2026) UTC |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Launch site | Kennedy LC-39A |
| Lunar lander | |
| Landing site | Reiner Gamma |
| 👁 Image IM-3 mission insignia Motto: MAGNETICAM LUNAM (Magnetic Moon) | |
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IM-3 is a robotic spaceflight mission planned by Intuitive Machines for launch in the second half of 2026 for NASA's CLPS program, using a Nova-C lunar lander. It will deliver payloads to the lunar swirl in the Reiner Gamma region.[1]
Background
[edit]
NASA selected a Nova-C mission for CLPS task order CP-11.[2] In August 2021, Intuitive Machines selected SpaceX to launch its third lunar mission, IM-3.[3] As of 7 January 2026, the launch of IM-3 is expected to take place in second half 2026.[4][5] The lander will conduct experiments investigating the properties of the unexpected magnetic field that has been detected in the vicinity of the Reiner Gamma swirl.[6]
Mission hardware
[edit]The Reiner Gamma landing site was announced for the first PRISM opportunity and the JHU Applied Physics Laboratory's Lunar Vertex payload was selected to conduct a detailed scientific analysis of the surface and surface environment. David Blewett (APL) is the principal investigator and leads the science team. Lunar Vertex includes payload elements on the Nova-C lander (APL magnetometer, SwRI plasma spectrometer, and Redwire camera arrays) and on a Lunar Outpost rover (APL magnetometer and Canadensys microscopic imager). APL also provided overall management, systems engineer, SMA, and rover integration and testing.[7]
Additional IM-3 payloads include the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Explorers (CADRE) rovers, ESA's MoonLIGHT Pointing Actuator (MPAc), KASI's Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM)[2], and AstroForge's Vestri.[8]
In 2024 the Intuitive Machines chief executive indicated that in addition to the lander, the IM-3 mission might deliver a data-relay satellite to lunar orbit.[9] NASA asserts, "Lunar relays will play an essential role in NASA’s Artemis campaign to establish a long-term presence on the Moon."[10] Additional reporting in 2025 indicated this work will be performed under a Near Space Network Services contract that NASA had previously awarded to Intuitive Machines.[11]
In December 2025, ASA funded organisation Lunaria One[12] was approved to add the Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (ALEPH-1) payload which will test plant growth and survival in the lunar environment. [13]
Mission events
[edit]Prior to launch
[edit]As of January 2026, the mission is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026.[5][4]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "NASA Selects Intuitive Machines to Deliver 4 Lunar Payloads in 2024". Intuitive Machines. November 17, 2021. Archived from the original on October 3, 2023. Retrieved November 17, 2021.
- ^ a b "NASA Payloads for (CLPS PRISM) CP-11 – Intuitive Machines Nova-C Lander". NASA. December 20, 2022. Archived from the original on February 27, 2024. Retrieved March 3, 2024.
- ^ "Three-peat: Intuitive Machines Selects SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket for Third Moon Mission". Intuitive Machines. August 10, 2021. Archived from the original on February 12, 2022. Retrieved August 10, 2021.
- ^ a b Clark, Stephen (January 7, 2026). "Here are the launches and landings we're most excited about in 2026". Ars Technica.
- ^ a b "Investor Update". August 2025. Retrieved September 28, 2025.
- ^ NASA Selects Intuitive Machines for New Lunar Science Delivery Archived 17 November 2023 at the Wayback Machine By Karen Fox et. al. Nov.17, 2021. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
- ^ "Lunar Vertex: Solving Mysteries Swirling Around the Moon's Magnetic Regions | Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory". www.jhuapl.edu. Retrieved July 3, 2024.
- ^ Kajal, Kapil. "AstroForge plans first private mission to mine near-Earth asteroid". Interesting Engineering. Retrieved September 19, 2025.
- ^ Berger, Eric (September 20, 2024). "One company appears to be thriving as part of NASA's return to the Moon". Ars Technica.
- ^ "NASA Selects Lunar Relay Contractor for Near Space Network Services - NASA".
- ^ "Intuitive Machines' CEO points to issues that prevented upright touchdown during IM-2 Moon landing – Spaceflight Now".
- ^ "Lunaria One receives Australian approval for overseas launch of lunar payload". Lunaria One. December 19, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
- ^ "First permit granted for an Aussie lunar payload". ASA. December 12, 2025. Retrieved January 17, 2026.
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