Lunar data relay satellites (Near Space Network)

Why it matters

Missions on the far side or near the poles often cannot see Earth directly. Relay satellites let landers, rovers and astronauts send data home from those places, which NASA needs for a long-term presence at the south pole.

How the technology works

Under NASA's Near Space Network services contract, Intuitive Machines will deploy its own lunar relay satellites and sell communication and navigation services to NASA. The first relay satellite is planned to launch on the IM-3 mission.

The company has added ground stations, including Goonhilly in the UK, to receive the data on Earth.