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| 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 | KennedyLC-39A |
| Lunar lander | |
| Landing site | Reiner Gamma |
 IM-3 mission insignia Motto:MAGNETICAM LUNAM (Magnetic Moon) iSpace Mission 3 → | |
IM-3 is an upcoming lunar mission planned for first half 2026 byIntuitive Machines forNASA'sCLPS program, using aNova-C lunar lander.
NASA selected a Nova-C mission forCLPS task order CP-11.[1] It will deliver payloads to thelunar swirl in theReiner Gamma region.[2] In August 2021, Intuitive Machines selected SpaceX to launch its third lunar mission, IM-3.[3] As of 13 May 2025, the launch of IM-3 is expected to take place in first half 2026.[4] 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.[5]
The Reiner Gamma landing site was announced for the firstPRISM opportunity and the JHUApplied Physics Laboratory'sLunar Vertex payload was selected to conducted 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, andRedwire camera arrays) and on aLunar Outpost rover (APL magnetometer andCanadensys microscopic imager). APL also provided overall management, systems engineer, SMA, and rover integration and testing.[6]
Additional IM-3 payloads include the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Explorers (CADRE) rovers, ESA's MoonLIGHT Pointing Actuator (MPAc) and KASI's Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM).[1]
As of May 13, 2025, the mission is scheduled for launch in first half of 2026.[4]
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