IM-3 is an upcoming lunar mission planned for the second half 2026 by Intuitive Machines for NASA's CLPS program, using a Nova-C lunar lander.
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 January 2026, 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.
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 conduct a detailed scientific analysis of the surface and surface environment. David Blewett (APL) is the principal investigator and leads the science team. Lunar Vertex includes payload elements on the Nova-C lander (APL magnetometer, SwRI plasma spectrometer, and Redwire camera arrays) and on a Lunar Outpost rover (APL magnetometer and Canadensys microscopic imager). APL also provided overall management, systems engineer, SMA, and rover integration and testing.
Additional IM-3 payloads include the Cooperative Autonomous Distributed Robotic Explorers (CADRE) rovers, ESA's MoonLIGHT Pointing Actuator (MPAc), KASI's Lunar Space Environment Monitor (LUSEM), and AstroForge's Vestri.
In 2024 the Intuitive Machines chief executive indicated that in addition to the lander, the IM-3 mission might deliver a data-relay satellite to lunar orbit. NASA asserts, "Lunar relays will play an essential role in NASAâÂÂs Artemis campaign to establish a long-term presence on the Moon." Additional reporting in 2025 indicated this work will be performed under a Near Space Network Services contract that NASA had previously awarded to Intuitive Machines.
In December 2025, ASA funded organisation Lunaria One was approved to add the Australian Lunar Experiment Promoting Horticulture (ALEPH-1) payload which will test plant growth and survival in the lunar environment.
As of January 2026, the mission is scheduled for launch in the second half of 2026.