Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission carrying NASA science postponed to launch on Thursday, February 15, 2024
The Intuitive Machines’ IM-1 mission, which was scheduled to launch on Wednesday, February 14, 2024, has now been postponed to 1:05 a.m. EST, Thursday, 15 February 2024.
The IM-1 mission, which was to be launched on board SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A in Florida, experienced off-nominal methane temperatures prior to stepping into methane load.
Due to off-nominal methane temperatures prior to stepping into methane load, the IM-1 launch to the Moon has been postponed. It is now scheduled for 1:05am ET (0605 UTC) Thursday, Feb. 15. https://t.co/SWXMVHy8Xz
For additional updates, see @SpaceX and @Int_Machines. pic.twitter.com/q7vXFaB0RI
— NASA (@NASA) February 14, 2024
The Mission IM-1 is the first of the three Nova-C landers from Intuitive Machines. It is named as Odysseus Lander. On the successful landing of Odysseus on the lunar surface, will mark the first successful soft Moon landing for an American spacecraft in over 50 years since Apollo 17. The launch will also mark the first private company soft launch on the Moon.
The IM-1 mission aims to create a commercial lunar economy and deliver commercial payloads and NASA science and technology payloads, which will lay down a way for a sustainable human presence on and around the Moon.
According to the latest updates, teams will begin loading the lunar lander with cryogenic methane and oxygen on the pad, about two and a half hour hours before the liftoff. It will then step into the propellant load for Falcon 9.
You can watch the live broadcast of the liftoff on NASA+, NASA TV, and the agency’s website from 12.20 a.m. EST, 15 February 2024.
