NASA selects Intuitive Machines for lunar South Pole payload delivery

Nasa has announced that a new set of science experiments and technology demonstrations will arrive at the lunar South Pole in 2027 following the agency’s latest CLPS (Commercial Lunar Payload Services) award.

Intuitive Machines, a Houston-based space exploration specialist, will receive $116.9 million to deliver six NASA payloads to a particularly difficult region of the Moon. Although the night temperatures are extreme and the terrain rugged, the permanently shadowed regions could help reveal the origin of water throughout our solar system, says Nasa.

Environment

“The instruments on this newly awarded flight will help us achieve multiple scientific objectives and strengthen our understanding of the Moon’s environment,” said Chris Culbert, manager of the CLPS initiative at NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston.

“For example, they’ll help answer key questions about where volatiles – such as water, ice, or gas – are found on the lunar surface and measure radiation in the South Pole region, which could advance our exploration efforts on the Moon and help us with continued exploration of Mars.”

Pictured above is an artist’s impression of Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander in situ on the South Pole of the Moon.

Lunar South Pole

The company previously delivered six NASA payloads to Malapert A in the South Pole region of the Moon earlier this year. With this latest lunar South Pole delivery, Intuitive Machines will be responsible for payload integration, launch from Earth, safe landing on the Moon, and mission operations.

The CLPS initiative is art of the wider Artemis campaign.

The award marks the 10th CLPS contract from NASA, and the fourth for delivery to the South Pole of the Moon. The aim is to create “a robust cadence of CLPS flights” to enable NASA to explore more of the Moon. These will be to a range of locations on the lunar surface.