Intuitive Machines' IM-2 mission, launched on February 26 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, achieved a landing closer to the lunar South Pole than any previous lander. The mission, part of NASA's CLPS initiative and Artemis campaign, aimed to drill for lunar soil and detect volatiles using a mass spectrometer.
The lander, named Athena, touched down on March 6, approximately 1,300 feet from its intended landing site at Mons Mouton. Images indicated the lander was on its side, limiting the operation of its instruments. Despite this, the mission collected 250 megabytes of data for NASA and completed some instrument checkouts.
NASA's PRIME-1 suite, including the TRIDENT lunar drill, demonstrated its full range of motion. The MSOLO detected elements likely from the lander's propulsion system. While not all objectives were met, NASA considers the mission valuable for informing future lunar and Martian exploration efforts. Intuitive Machines has two more NASA deliveries planned for 2026 and 2027.