Intuitive Machines
Short answer
Intuitive Machines is an American space company developing lunar delivery, communications and infrastructure services, including missions using Nova-C landers.
Frequently asked questions
What is Intuitive Machines?
Intuitive Machines is an American space company developing lunar delivery, communications and infrastructure services, including missions using Nova-C landers.
When was IM founded?
2013 is the company founding year. IM-1 landed in February 2024; IM-2 experienced a limited surface mission in March 2025.
How did IM develop?
On February 22, 2024, the IM-1 lander Odysseus reached the lunar surface, marking the first American lunar soft landing since Apollo 17 in 1972. The event was historically significant but operationally imperfect. IM-2 followed in March 2025; its Athena lander ended on its side in a crater, limiting surface operations. These outcomes must be described separately from the broader statement that the company reached the Moon.
Does reaching the surface mean all mission objectives were completed?
No. A lander must also retain usable power, communications and payload capability. IM-2’s position on its side limited those activities.
Why does IM matter in space history?
Intuitive Machines provides a case study in commercial lunar delivery, where historical milestones coexist with demanding questions about landing conditions and scientific return.