How Space Missions Stay Connected - Intuitive Machines-2 Launch to the Moon

Follow the progress with the IM-2 Lunar Mission at https://x.com/Int_Machines https://www.intuitivemachines.com/

The journey to the Moon isn’t just about the technology involved in the incredible rocket that placed it into orbit, or the precise manoeuvres the Athena lander needs to make to place it successfully on the lunar surface. It’s also a gigantic communication challenge. Much more than I think people may realise. Staying connected and passing considerable data back and forth from ground stations to Athena is obviously critical. What’s more, communication assets get super saturated and it can be hard to plan out a perfect strategy to accommodate not just this mission, but all the others going on around our solar system. How are Intuitive Machines doing this? Well, I’m thrilled to finally show you a big part of this story and they were kind enough to send me across Australia to show you exclusively the part of the story that I’m sure you are likely unaware of. Indeed, Intuitive Machines are utilising Australian assets to provide and evolve critical connectivity from the southern hemisphere. After all, before we return humans to the Moon, we need to demonstrate 24/7 mission control, and that includes future data relay networks too. It all starts with this IM-2 mission using vital assets down under. Thanks to CSIRO’s Murriyang radio telescope and Fugro’s SpAARC facility, IM-2 is pioneering the next phase of lunar communications. Most People Don't Know This!