NASA Announces Live Coverage of Intuitive Machines’ Second Private Moon Landing

NASA has revealed exciting plans for the live broadcast of Intuitive Machines’ second private Moon landing. Set to occur no earlier than 12:32 p.m. EST on Thursday, March 6, the mission will showcase NASA technology demonstrations and scientific investigations as part of the broader Artemis program. The lander, named Nova-C, is expected to touch down on Mons Mouton, a lunar plateau located near the Moon’s South Pole.

This landing is a significant milestone in NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative and a critical step towards establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. As part of this mission, Intuitive Machines will carry out groundbreaking experiments and demonstrate cutting-edge technologies that will pave the way for future lunar exploration.

Watch the Historic Moon Landing Live

NASA and Intuitive Machines will offer live landing coverage on NASA+ for space enthusiasts and the general public. Coverage will begin at 11:30 a.m. EST, approximately 60 minutes before the scheduled landing time. Additionally, NASA will provide live blog updates starting at 11 a.m. EST, marking key milestones as the lander approaches its final destination.

The landing will occur at precisely 12:32 p.m. EST. NASA and Intuitive Machines will then hold a post-landing news conference at 4 p.m. EST to discuss the mission’s outcome, the technologies involved, and the scientific opportunities it presents.

Key Players in the Post-Landing Briefing

Following the successful landing, a news conference will be hosted by NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston. Key figures from NASA and Intuitive Machines will participate, including:

• Nicky Fox, the Associate Administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters,
• Clayton Turner, the Associate Administrator for the Space Technology Mission Directorate at NASA Headquarters,
• Joel Kearns, the Deputy Associate Administrator for Exploration at the Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters.
• Steve Altemus, CEO, Intuitive Machines
• Tim Crain, Chief Growth Officer, Intuitive Machines

These experts will discuss the significance of the landing, the technology being tested, and the various scientific investigations that will help shape future lunar exploration.

U.S. Media Accreditation for Event Participation

For U.S. media wishing to attend the post-landing news conference in person, NASA requires accreditation requests to be submitted by 4 p.m. on Wednesday, March 5. To apply, media representatives must contact the NASA Johnson newsroom at 281-483-5111 or via email at jsccommu@mail.nasa.gov. Additionally, those wishing to ask questions during the briefing via phone must RSVP by 4 p.m. on March 5 and dial in at least 15 minutes before the session begins.

LIVE: Our #Crew9 @NASA_Astronauts are talking about their scientific mission aboard the @Space_Station before they return to Earth later this month. Watch with us and use #AskNASA to share your questions. https://t.co/yXzCMNNjIB

— NASA (@NASA) March 4, 2025

About the IM-2 Mission and Technology Demonstrations

The IM-2 mission, launched on February 26 at 7:16 p.m. EST from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is set to deliver a range of NASA-sponsored technologies to the Moon’s surface. The Nova-C lander will carry various instruments, including a cutting-edge laser retroreflector array. This technology will bounce laser light back to spacecraft orbiting or approaching the Moon, providing a permanent reference point for future space missions.

Moreover, the lander will test an advanced cellular network to facilitate reliable communication for future astronauts and deploy a propulsive drone capable of traversing the Moon’s challenging terrain.

One of the key experiments on the IM-2 mission will involve measuring the presence of resources in the lunar soil. These resources could one day be extracted for vital uses, including the production of fuel and breathable oxygen for future human explorers.

NASA’s CLPS Initiative and the Path to the Moon

The IM-2 mission is part of NASA’s CLPS initiative, which collaborates with American commercial companies to send vital science payloads and technology demonstrations to the Moon. These collaborations are a central component of NASA’s Artemis program, which aims to establish a sustainable lunar presence and, eventually, support human exploration of Mars.

The CLPS initiative is an indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract worth up to $2.6 billion through 2028. This program encourages innovation by engaging a wide range of American companies in developing and delivering lunar payloads, facilitating the progress of lunar exploration technologies.

Cost and Contract Details

Intuitive Machines was awarded a $62.5 million contract for this mission, which will carry essential NASA science investigations and technology demonstrations to the Moon. Through this partnership, NASA aims to develop lunar exploration capabilities further, test emerging technologies, and lay the groundwork for future human missions to the Moon and beyond.

The Role of Artemis in Lunar Exploration

The Artemis campaign plays a pivotal role in NASA’s long-term goals for lunar exploration. Through the CLPS initiative, commercial robotic landers like Nova-C will deliver critical technologies and perform experiments on the Moon’s surface to support Artemis missions. These missions are intended to explore the Moon and pave the way for future manned missions to Mars.

In conclusion, Intuitive Machines’ IM-2 mission represents a significant step forward in NASA’s lunar exploration objectives and the continued collaboration between NASA and the private sector. As the agency progresses toward establishing a sustainable human presence on the Moon, the IM-2 mission is poised to make history as a key milestone in advancing the Artemis program’s goals. Watch the live landing coverage to witness this remarkable achievement unfold.