Intuitive Machines Lander, Uncrewed

IM-3

Third Intuitive Machines lunar mission targeting the Reiner Gamma lunar swirl magnetic anomaly. Will deploy first commercial lunar data relay satellite.

Status Upcoming

Target Sep 2026

Type Lander

Site Reiner Gamma

Mission imagery coming soon

Mission Overview

IM-3 will be Intuitive Machines' third lunar mission and its first to target a scientifically unique destination: the Reiner Gamma swirl on the Moon's nearside (7.5°N, 59°W). Reiner Gamma is one of the most prominent lunar swirls — bright, sinuous surface markings associated with localized magnetic anomalies that partially deflect the solar wind.

The mission will deploy the Lunar Vertex rover, a joint instrument package from Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory and Lunar Outpost, designed to traverse the swirl and measure its magnetic field at the surface. Understanding why these magnetic anomalies exist and how they interact with the space environment is a key science question that has never been studied in situ.

IM-3 will also deploy the first node of Intuitive Machines' planned Lunar Data Relay Network — a communications satellite in lunar orbit. This relay is intended to provide continuous coverage for future missions on the lunar far side and south pole, where direct-to-Earth communications can be limited.

Technical Overview

Landing Site Reiner Gamma 7.5°N, 59°W

Lander Type Nova-C Next-generation

Primary Rover Lunar Vertex

Rover Provider APL / Lunar Outpost

Data Relay Lunar orbit Communications satellite

Target Launch Sep 2026

Region Oceanus Procellarum Nearside

Science Focus Magnetic anomaly Lunar swirl

Mission Objectives

Land at Reiner Gamma

Deliver payloads to the Reiner Gamma lunar swirl, one of the most scientifically intriguing features on the Moon, associated with a localized magnetic anomaly.

Deploy Lunar Vertex Rover

Deploy and operate the Lunar Vertex rover (APL / Lunar Outpost) to traverse the swirl and measure magnetic field strength and direction at the surface.

Magnetic Anomaly Science

Conduct the first in-situ study of a lunar magnetic anomaly, investigating how localized magnetic fields interact with the solar wind and why swirl patterns form.

Lunar Data Relay Network

Deploy the first node of Intuitive Machines' commercial Lunar Data Relay Network, a communications satellite in lunar orbit to support future missions.

Next-Gen Nova-C Validation

Demonstrate improvements to the Nova-C platform based on lessons learned from IM-1 (rangefinder failure) and IM-2 (altimeter issues), targeting a fully upright precision landing.

Spacecraft

Spacecraft diagram coming soon

01 Nova-C Lander (Next-Gen) Third-generation Nova-C incorporating lessons from IM-1 and IM-2 tipping incidents. Improved navigation sensors and landing leg design for more reliable surface operations.

02 Lunar Vertex Rover Small rover built by Johns Hopkins APL and Lunar Outpost. Equipped with magnetometers and plasma instruments to measure the Reiner Gamma magnetic anomaly at the surface.

03 Data Relay Satellite Communications satellite to be deployed into lunar orbit, forming the first node of a planned commercial relay network for continuous lunar surface coverage.

04 VR900 Propulsion Updated LOX/methane engine with refined throttle control and improved descent guidance software based on two prior landing experiences.

Mission Updates

Milestone May 26, 2026

Designated Moon Base III with Nova-C 'Trinity' Lander

NASA named IM-3 as Moon Base III — the third mission of the agency's new Moon Base initiative. Targeted for launch later this year, Intuitive Machines' Nova-C 'Trinity' lunar lander will fly the Lunar Vertex anchor investigation to study the Reiner Gamma lunar swirl, alongside payloads from the European Space Agency and Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), reflecting expanded commercial and international participation in Moon Base activities.

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