LAUNCH OF INTUITIVE MACHINES’ NOVA-C LUNAR LANDER, Feb 15, 2024, KSC, 1:05 am ET

Update, February 14, 12:15 am ET:  NASA just posted on X that the launch has been postponed until tomorrow, Feb. 15, at 1:05 am, because of “off-nominal methane temperatures prior to stepping into methane load.” Cryogenic methane is the fuel for the IM-1 lander, which SpaceX loads into the lander through the fairing prior to launch.

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

Update, February 7: NASA announced it will provide live launch coverage on NASA TV beginning at 12:15 am ET on February 14.  NASA will also hold two briefings on February 12 to discuss the mission.

Update, February 5, 2024 pm:  This afternoon Intuitive Machines issued a press release adding the launch time: 12:57 am ET.

Update, February 5, 2024 am:  During a press conference today about another SpaceX launch (NASA’s PACE mission), SpaceX’s Julianna Scheiman revealed they are, in fact, targeting February 14 for the IM-1 launch. Backup days are February 15 and 16.

Update, December 19: Intuitive Machines says the IM-1 launch has been postponed to “mid-February” because SpaceX has had to reconfigure its launch schedule due to a significant number of weather-related launch delays for other customers.  Lunar landers can only be launched at certain times of the month when the Earth and Moon are properly aligned for the lander to reach its destination when lighting conditions are suitable. The next opportunity isn’t until February.

IM did not say what dates are available other than “mid-February.” We will post whatever updates are provided in due course. We’re using February 14 in this Calendar list merely as a placeholder.

Original Entry: SpaceX is targeting January 12, 2024 for the launch of Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander.  The launch time was not announced.

In coordination with SpaceX, liftoff of the IM-1 lunar mission is now targeted for multi-day launch window, which opens January 12, 2024.https://t.co/Iy70BOVZ0B

— Intuitive Machines (@Int_Machines) October 27, 2023

Like Astrobotic’s Peregine, Nova-C was developed through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) Public-Private Partnership program.  NASA pays for services from companies like Astrobotic and Intuitive Machines to deliver science and technology experiments to the lunar surface. The company must develop the lander and acquire launch services. The company retains ownership of the system and is expected to find non-NASA customers to close the business case.

Both IM’s Nova-C and Astrobotic’s Peregrine experienced many delays. Both were supposed to launch in 2021.  IM’s most recent delays were related to development of Nova-C.  Astrobotic’s Peregrine was ready for a planned launch in May 2023, but technical problems with the United Launch Alliance’s Vulcan rocket’s upper stage pushed the launch to January 8, 2024, just four days before Nova-C. This will be the first launch of Vulcan.