Intuitive Machines, a space technology, infrastructure and services company, has secured a $180.4 million contract from NASA to deliver science and technology payloads to the lunar South Pole region.
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What Does the Contract Cover?
The company said Wednesday the task order marks its fifth award under the Commercial Lunar Payload Services, or CLPS, initiative, and follows the $116.9 million task order awarded in August 2024. The contract involves delivering seven payloads to Mons Malapert near the lunar South Pole, along with the Australian Space Agency’s Roo-ver and a lunar rover developed by Honeybee Robotics.
The IM-5 mission will utilize Intuitive Machines’ Nova-D lunar lander, making it the first CLPS task order to require a larger cargo-class lander. It will be supported by the company’s space infrastructure, including its Space Data Network and autonomous surface operations capabilities.
“This CLPS award accelerates our expansion efforts as we build, connect, and operate the systems powering that infrastructure. We look forward to working closely with NASA to deliver mission success on IM-5 and to provide sustained operations and persistent connectivity in the cislunar environment and across the solar system,” said Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines.
What Payloads Will the IM-5 Mission Carry?
The IM-5 mission will carry instruments to study the lunar environment and collect data through autonomous surface operations, including:
- Laser Retroreflector Array, or LRA – Reflects laser signals for precise navigation
- Lunar Vehicle Radiation Dosimeter, or LVRad – Measures surface radiation levels
- Mass Spectrometer Observing Lunar Operations, or MSolo – Analyzes the lunar exosphere and volatiles
- Multifunctional Nanosensor Platform, or MNP – Studies plume-surface interactions; mounted on the Roo-ver rover
- Near Infrared Volatiles Spectrometer System, or NIRVSS – Maps volatiles and analyzes regolith composition
- Sanctuary – A time capsule preserving human achievements
- Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume Surface Studies, or SCALPSS – Captures landing-induced surface changes
