Intuitive Machines will attempt a soft touchdown of its Nova-C lunar lander as part of the IM-1 mission in mid-February. EPA
Intuitive Machines will attempt a soft touchdown of its Nova-C lunar lander as part of the IM-1 mission in mid-February. EPA
Intuitive Machines will attempt a soft touchdown of its Nova-C lunar lander as part of the IM-1 mission in mid-February. EPA
Intuitive Machines will attempt a soft touchdown of its Nova-C lunar lander as part of the IM-1 mission in mid-February. EPA

IM-1 mission: How to watch launch of private lunar landing vehicle


Sarwat Nasir
  • English
  • Arabic

An American company is hoping to land a vehicle on the Moon, just a few weeks after a lunar mission launched by a fellow US firm failed.

Intuitive Machines will attempt a soft touchdown of its Nova-C lunar lander as part of the IM-1 mission, with a launch date aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket set for Wednesday morning, UAE time.

This will be the fourth attempt by a private company to land on the Moon, after unsuccessful attempts by Israel's SpaceIL and Israel Aerospace Industries in 2019, Japan’s ispace last year and US-based Astrobotic on January 8.

It will take the vehicle about five days to reach the surface and, if successful, it could be the first lunar landing by the US since the last Apollo mission in 1972.

“The company’s IM-1 mission Nova-C lunar lander remains ready,” said Intuitive Machines.

“Since arriving in Florida, the IM-1 lunar lander has completed major system tests, verification and certification milestones.”

How to watch

Nasa and SpaceX will broadcast the launch on their websites on February 14, with Nasa coverage to begin at 9.15am, UAE time, and the lift-off set at 9.57am - depending on weather and any technical issues.

A landing attempt is expected on February 22 and updates would be provided by Intuitive Machines.

Nasa is a customer

The company was contracted by Nasa as part of the agency’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) programme, which hires companies to send science and technology payloads to the lunar surface.

CLPS is helping to create easier access to the Moon by contracting companies, similar to how Nasa hires SpaceX to launch its astronauts to the International Space Station.

The agency has six payloads on the Nova-C vehicle, including technology that tests space weather and lunar surface interactions, radio astronomy and precision landing.

Nasa also plans to launch more payloads on future flights by Intuitive Machines, including the IM-2 mission planned for later this year and its third mission in 2024.

It also had payloads on the Peregrine lunar lander built by Astrobotic.

However, the vehicle experienced a propulsion anomaly shortly after separating from the rocket, causing a fuel leak that made a soft lunar landing impossible.

Moon mission accomplished

On January 19, Japan became the fifth nation to carry out a soft landing on the Moon.

Other countries that have achieved the feat include America, the former Soviet Union, China and India.

Laura Forczyk, author and founder of space consulting company Astralytical, told The National that landing on the Moon was no easy task.

“The Moon is a different world – literally. It has no atmosphere, [and has] lower gravity and a harsh dusty environment,” she said.

“Only recently have we developed the technology to launch a crewed spacecraft and land it back on solid ground without the benefit of a runway, and that technology is still experimental.

“It's much more difficult to launch from Earth and land safely on the Moon, and the Moon has no air, so parachutes aren't an option.

“The more we practice with uncrewed lunar landers, the more confident we will become in launching humans to the Moon and landing them safely.”

The Nova-C vehicle will attempt a landing in near a crater in the Moon’s southern pole.

Only India has managed to land a craft near the South Pole region in 2023, helping the country to become the fourth nation to touchdown on the Moon.

The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh117,059

Opening day UAE Premiership fixtures, Friday, September 22:

  • Dubai Sports City Eagles v Dubai Exiles
  • Dubai Hurricanes v Abu Dhabi Saracens
  • Jebel Ali Dragons v Abu Dhabi Harlequins
COMPANY PROFILE

Name: Lamsa

Founder: Badr Ward

Launched: 2014

Employees: 60

Based: Abu Dhabi

Sector: EdTech

Funding to date: $15 million

Chef Nobu's advice for eating sushi

“One mistake people always make is adding extra wasabi. There is no need for this, because it should already be there between the rice and the fish.
“When eating nigiri, you must dip the fish – not the rice – in soy sauce, otherwise the rice will collapse. Also, don’t use too much soy sauce or it will make you thirsty. For sushi rolls, dip a little of the rice-covered roll lightly in soy sauce and eat in one bite.
“Chopsticks are acceptable, but really, I recommend using your fingers for sushi. Do use chopsticks for sashimi, though.
“The ginger should be eaten separately as a palette cleanser and used to clear the mouth when switching between different pieces of fish.”

Libya's Gold

UN Panel of Experts found regime secretly sold a fifth of the country's gold reserves. 

The panel’s 2017 report followed a trail to West Africa where large sums of cash and gold were hidden by Abdullah Al Senussi, Qaddafi’s former intelligence chief, in 2011.

Cases filled with cash that was said to amount to $560m in 100 dollar notes, that was kept by a group of Libyans in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

A second stash was said to have been held in Accra, Ghana, inside boxes at the local offices of an international human rights organisation based in France.

THE SPECS

Engine: 1.5-litre, four-cylinder turbo

Transmission: seven-speed dual clutch automatic

Power: 169bhp

Torque: 250Nm

Price: Dh54,500

On sale: now

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Know your Camel lingo

The bairaq is a competition for the best herd of 50 camels, named for the banner its winner takes home

Namoos - a word of congratulations reserved for falconry competitions, camel races and camel pageants. It best translates as 'the pride of victory' - and for competitors, it is priceless

Asayel camels - sleek, short-haired hound-like racers

Majahim - chocolate-brown camels that can grow to weigh two tonnes. They were only valued for milk until camel pageantry took off in the 1990s

Millions Street - the thoroughfare where camels are led and where white 4x4s throng throughout the festival

Women%E2%80%99s%20Asia%20Cup
%3Cp%3ESylhet%2C%20Bangladesh%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20results%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ELost%20to%20Sri%20Lanka%20by%2011%20runs%3Cbr%3E%3Cbr%3E%3Cstrong%3EUAE%20fixtures%3C%2Fstrong%3E%3Cbr%3ETue%20Oct%204%2C%20v%20India%3Cbr%3EWed%20Oct%205%2C%20v%20Malaysia%3Cbr%3EFri%20Oct%207%2C%20v%20Thailand%3Cbr%3ESun%20Oct%209%2C%20v%20Pakistan%3Cbr%3ETue%20Oct%2011%2C%20v%20Bangladesh%3C%2Fp%3E%0A
What is tokenisation?

Tokenisation refers to the issuance of a blockchain token, which represents a virtually tradable real, tangible asset. A tokenised asset is easily transferable, offers good liquidity, returns and is easily traded on the secondary markets. 

What can victims do?

Always use only regulated platforms

Stop all transactions and communication on suspicion

Save all evidence (screenshots, chat logs, transaction IDs)

Report to local authorities

Warn others to prevent further harm

Courtesy: Crystal Intelligence

Living in...

This article is part of a guide on where to live in the UAE. Our reporters will profile some of the country’s most desirable districts, provide an estimate of rental prices and introduce you to some of the residents who call each area home. 

Updated: February 12, 2024, 10:57 AM