NASA is set to hold a media teleconference at 1 p.m. EST on Friday, February 7. The focus will be on the science and technology that will be part of Intuitive Machines’ upcoming second mission to the Moon. This mission is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) and the broader Artemis program, which aims to create a lasting human presence on the Moon.
Anyone interested can listen to the conference on NASA’s official website. The discussion will feature key figures from the agency, including:
- Nicky Fox, the associate administrator for the Science Mission Directorate at NASA
- Niki Werkheiser, the director of technology maturation in the Space Technology Mission Directorate
- Trent Martin, senior vice president of space systems at Intuitive Machines
Media members who want to join via phone must confirm their attendance at least two hours before the call by sending an email to NASA’s newsroom. Details about media accreditation are also available on the agency’s website.
The lunar lander, named Athena, is set to launch aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The launch will take place within a four-day window starting no earlier than February 26.
During the mission, the IM-2 lunar lander will conduct one of the first on-site tests for utilizing resources on the Moon. It will use a drill and a mass spectrometer to look for gases in the lunar soil at Mons Mouton, located near the Moon’s South Pole. The lander will also carry a Laser Retroreflector Array that will reflect laser beams for future spacecraft, offering them a fixed point of reference on the Moon’s surface. Additionally, it will deploy a drone that can move across the lunar terrain and test a new communications system.
Alongside the IM-2 mission, NASA’s Lunar Trailblazer spacecraft will also begin its journey. This spacecraft is designed to map different types of water found on the Moon.
Through the CLPS initiative, NASA is investing in commercial services to deliver payloads to the Moon. This program not only promotes industry growth but also supports long-term exploration efforts. NASA is a primary user of these missions, alongside other customers.
Stay updated by following the agency’s announcements.
For more information, you can reach out to the contacts listed below:
-
Alise Fisher / Jasmine Hopkins
Washington Headquarters
202-358-2546 -
Natalia Riusech / Nilufar Ramji
Johnson Space Center, Houston
281-483-5111 - Antonia Jaramillo
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-867-2468
