SpaceX Falcon 9 Prepares for Historic Lunar Mission Launch

Kennedy Space Center, Florida — A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket is poised for a significant launch on Wednesday, Feb. 26, 2025, at 7:16 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A. This mission, designated IM-2, will carry Intuitive Machines’ lunar lander, Athena, which is equipped with NASA scientific instruments aimed at advancing lunar exploration as part of the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and Artemis campaign.

The IM-2 mission serves as a critical step in NASA’s plan to return humans to the Moon by facilitating scientific explorations. The Falcon 9 is slated to lift off amid promising conditions, with the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s 45th Weather Squadron predicting over a 95% chance of favorable weather at launch time.

As part of the countdown to liftoff, multiple stages of preparation will occur. Key pre-launch milestones include propellant loading and final checks of the flight computer, leading up to engine ignition and liftoff.

“We are enthusiastic about the IM-2 mission laying the groundwork for future lunar exploration and the Artemis program,” said a SpaceX spokesperson.

After leaving Earth’s atmosphere, Athena will embark on a journey to the Moon that lasts approximately one week, with a landing targeted for no earlier than March 6. The lander will carry various NASA experiments and technology demonstrations designed to deepen understanding of the Moon’s environment.

The mission is particularly notable for being one of the first to conduct on-site demonstrations of resource utilization on the lunar surface. Instruments onboard will assess the potential presence of volatiles in lunar soil at Mons Mouton, near the Moon’s South Pole. Additionally, a Laser Retroreflector Array will provide future spacecraft with a permanent reference point on the lunar surface.

Accompanying Athena, the mission will also include a robust surface communications system and a propulsive drone capable of hopping across the Moon’s surface. Several non-NASA payloads will also be dispatched alongside Athena.

Live launch coverage will begin 45 minutes prior to the scheduled liftoff and will be available on various NASA platforms. Public participation will include options for virtual attendance, allowing enthusiasts to engage with the mission updates and activities.

“We encourage everyone to follow the mission,” said a NASA representative. “Connections through social media, including our hashtags, help to spread awareness and excitement around our lunar exploration initiatives.”

The agency has also set up Spanish-language resources for the mission through NASA en español, facilitating broader engagement and outreach.