SpaceX has rescheduled the launch of the IM-1 moon lander mission for Intuitive Machines to Thursday, Feb. 15. The delay comes after a liquid methane temperature issue cropped up during preparations for fueling the Odysseus lander. The mission aims to deliver experiments to the moon's surface under a contract with NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program.
The IM-1 mission, scheduled for liftoff at 1:05 a.m. EST (0605 GMT), will see Intuitive Machines' Nova-C spacecraft, dubbed Odysseus, launched atop a Falcon 9 rocket from NASA's Kennedy Space Center in Florida. The lander is expected to touch down on the moon on Feb. 22.
SpaceX and Intuitive Machines are working to launch the Odysseus lander within a three-day window that begins on Feb. 14. Delays earlier in the year pushed the launch timeline. An attempt on Feb. 14 was postponed due to issues with methane fuel temperatures.
Viewers can catch the launch livestream on NASA TV, NASA's streaming channel, and SpaceX's X account (formerly Twitter). Intuitive Machines will also host the NASA webcast on its IM-1 mission website. Space.com will simulcast the NASA webcast.
During the webcast, viewers will witness SpaceX's final preparations before liftoff, including fueling the Falcon 9 rocket. The first stage is expected to return to Earth and land at SpaceX's Landing Zone 1, marking the 18th flight for the Falcon 9 first stage.
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