spacetoday.net: Intuitive Machines delays first lander mission to February

Intuitive Machines delays first lander mission to February

Posted: Sat, Dec 30, 2023, 9:38 AM ET (1438 GMT)
Intuitive Machines says it is delaying the launch of its first lunar lander mission by a month to mid-February. The company said Dec. 19 its IM-1 mission, which was scheduled for launch Jan. 12 on a Falcon 9, will slip because of "shifts in the SpaceX launch manifest." That is a reference to delays in the Falcon Heavy launch of the X-37B, which is using the same pad that IM-1 will use. The Falcon Heavy delay means the pad will not be ready in time to support a launch by Jan. 16, when the January launch period for IM-1 closes. Intuitive Machines did not disclose a new landing date for the mission but previously said landing would take place about a week after launch.