Science Experiments And Tech Demos Going To Lunar South Pole

NASA has awarded Intuitive Machines of Houston a $116.9 million contract to deliver six payloads to the Moon’s South Pole. The cargo includes science experiments and technology demonstrations, and is slated to arrive on Earth’s satellite in 2027.

The contract represents the space agency’s 10th and latest Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative award and is part of its broader Artemis campaign. The CLPS is intended to conduct scientific research on the Moon and this will be the fourth delivery to the Lunar South Pole region.

Joel Kears, NASA’s deputy associate administrator for exploration, Science Mission Directorate in Washington, D.C. said, “By supporting a robust cadence of CLPS flights to a variety of locations on the lunar surface, including two flights currently planned by companies for later this year, NASA will explore more of the Moon than ever before.”

This contract includes Intuitive Machines’ responsibility for payload integration, launch from Earth, safe landing on the Lunar surface, and mission operations.

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

FMI:  www.nasa.gov/