The next era of lunar exploration is rapidly unfolding, with a groundbreaking mission set to launch in late February.
The IM-2 mission, led by Texas-based company Intuitive Machines, is preparing to send an innovative robotic lander and a suite of scientific instruments to the Moon’s south pole. Among its objectives is a first-of-its-kind attempt to explore a permanently shadowed lunar crater in search of ice, a potential resource for future human missions.
Scheduled to launch on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Cape Canaveral, Florida, on February 26, the IM-2 mission represents a major step forward in commercial lunar exploration. The lander, named Athena, is approximately the size of a car and is being partially funded by NASA as part of its Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. The program, initiated in 2018, aims to support private companies in developing lunar landers capable of delivering scientific instruments and technology demonstrations to the Moon. NASA has invested $47 million in this mission, contributing to a broader effort to establish a sustainable lunar presence under the Artemis program.
One of the most ambitious aspects of the IM-2 mission is the deployment of a unique robotic vehicle known as the Micro Nova Hopper, nicknamed Grace. Unlike traditional rovers, which travel across the lunar surface, Grace is designed to “hop” over obstacles using small thrusters. This mobility will allow it to venture into a permanently shadowed crater near the landing site, a feat never before attempted.
The target crater, referred to as “H,” is approximately 250 meters (820 feet) across and 20 meters (65 feet) deep. Due to the Moon’s axial tilt, some craters at the poles never receive direct sunlight, resulting in extremely cold temperatures—often below -170°C (-274°F). These conditions create the possibility of water ice deposits, which could be crucial for future lunar missions. Grace will spend 45 minutes inside the crater, using a spotlight to illuminate the surface and an infrared sensor developed by the German space agency to measure temperatures. Additionally, a neutron spectrometer from Hungarian company Pulis Space Technologies will analyze the surface for signs of hydrogen, a key indicator of water ice.
Beyond the crater exploration, IM-2 is carrying over ten scientific instruments and vehicles. Among them is NASA’s Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment-1 (PRIME-1), a drill designed to extract lunar soil and detect water ice. Two rovers will also be deployed: the small, cylindrical Yaoki rover from Japanese company Dymon and the larger MAPP (Mobile Autonomous Prospecting Platform) from Lunar Outpost. MAPP will test Nokia’s 4G/LTE communications system on the Moon and create a 3D map of the landing area, which could assist future astronauts.
Additionally, a tiny robotic device from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) will move across the MAPP rover to assess its performance. Meanwhile, a spacecraft called Odin, from asteroid-mining startup AstroForge, will detach on the way to the Moon and later attempt to capture images of a near-Earth asteroid.
The IM-2 mission highlights the increasing involvement of private companies in lunar exploration. In addition to NASA’s partnership, companies such as Columbia Sportswear and Lonestar Data Holdings are contributing experimental technologies. Columbia has provided thermal insulation materials for the lander, adapted from its outdoor apparel designs. Lonestar Data Holdings is testing a space-hardened data storage device that could serve as a secure lunar backup system for sensitive digital information.
The CLPS program has faced difficulties in previous missions. The first attempt, the Peregrine lander from Astrobotic, suffered a fuel leak and failed to reach the Moon in early 2024. Intuitive Machines’ first lander, IM-1, successfully touched down but landed on its side, limiting its ability to conduct experiments. The company aims to improve upon these past challenges with IM-2.
Meanwhile, the IM-2 mission will be one of two CLPS missions at the Moon in early 2025. The other, Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander, launched in January and is expected to land in early March. While Blue Ghost is targeting the lunar equator, IM-2’s destination at the south pole holds significant scientific and strategic importance.
