IM-3
IM-3 is an upcoming lunar mission planned for first half 2026 by Intuitive Machines for NASA's CLPS program, using a Nova-C lunar lander.
Background
NASA selected a Nova-C mission for CLPS task order CP-11. It will deliver payloads to the lunar swirl in the Reiner Gamma region. In August 2021, Intuitive Machines selected SpaceX to launch its third lunar mission, IM-3. As of 7 August 2025, the launch of IM-3 is expected to take place in second half 2026. The lander will conduct experiments investigating the properties of the unexpected magnetic field that has been detected in the vicinity of the Reiner Gamma swirl.Mission hardware
The Reiner Gamma landing site was announced for the first PRISM opportunity and the JHU Applied Physics Laboratory's Lunar Vertex payload was selected to conducted a detailed scientific analysis of the surface and surface environment. David Blewett is the principal investigator and leads the science team. Lunar Vertex includes payload elements on the Nova-C lander and on a Lunar Outpost rover. APL also provided overall management, systems engineer, SMA, and rover integration and testing.Additional IM-3 payloads include the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Explorers rovers, ESA's MoonLIGHT Pointing Actuator, and KASI's Lunar Space Environment Monitor.
In December 2025, ASA funded organisation Lunaria One was approved to add the Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture payload which will test plant growth and survival in the lunar environment.