After a picture perfect launch from Kennedy Space Center aboard a Falcon 9 last night, at approximately 8:01 p.m. EST, Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander detached from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket and activated around 12 minutes later.

The lander is now en route to the Moon, where it will complete a weeklong journey carrying scientific instruments and technology developed by NASA. This mission is part of the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and the broader Artemis program, which aims to expand lunar exploration and support future human missions.

More: Launch Coverage: SpaceX Launches IM-2

Intuitive Machines February 27th Update

This morning, Intuitive provided an update, saying, “After liftoff on February 26, Athena established a stable attitude, solar charging, and radio communications contact with our mission operations center in Houston. The lander is in excellent health, sending selfies, and preparing for a series of planned main engine firings to refine her trajectory ahead of lunar orbit insertion, planned on March 3.”

“Athena joining a historic wave of lunar landers on their way to the Moon is an extraordinary moment,” said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus. “While the most vital part of this mission lies ahead, we believe this is a signal that lunar services are rapidly advancing alongside civil and commercial intent to establish a foothold on the Moon to reach further into the Solar System.”

IM-2 mission is planned to touch down on Mons Mouton near the Moon’s south pole on March 6, where it will mark the closest landing to the lunar south pole to date. This is Intuitive Machines’ second lunar lander — their IM-1 lander, named Odysseus, launched a year earlier but experienced complications upon landing, ultimately tipping over on the lunar surface.

Lunar Trailblazer

Additionally, NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft, which was launched as a secondary payload, separated from the launch vehicle at 8:04 p.m. EST. The spacecraft will travel to lunar orbit, where it will conduct a comprehensive survey to map the distribution of various forms of water on the Moon’s surface.

Additionally, a Laser Retroreflector Array positioned on the lander’s top deck will serve as a permanent reference point, reflecting laser signals back to orbiting or approaching spacecraft.

Other advanced technologies included in this mission will test a resilient surface communication system and deploy a propulsive drone capable of traversing the lunar terrain. These innovations mark a significant step toward refining lunar exploration capabilities and supporting future missions to the Moon for Project Artemis.