SpaceX Launches USSF-124 and the LM-1 Mission

Cape Canaveral, FL. – This week, SpaceX had another busy schedule with the successful launches of the USSF-124 mission for the United States Space Force and the launch of the Intuitive Machines LM-1 Lunar Lander as part of the NASA Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) for the Artemis program. 

The USSF-124 mission lifted off from LC-40 at 5:30 PM EST on February 14, 2024 sending the top secret satellite into space for the military. In a statement from U.S. Space Force Col. Jim Horne, senior materiel leader for SSC’s Launch Execution Delta: “We worked side-by-side with our launch service provider and space vehicle partners to achieve the mission on-time and with precision. Today’s mission supports our global war-fighters and people across the globe in every facet of life."

Less than 24 hours later the launch of USSF-124, SpaceX launched the LM-1 Moon mission from LC-39A at 1:05 AM EST on February 15, 2024. The LM-1 Lander is scheduled to make a landing on the surface of the Moon after an approximately 5 day trip to the Moon where it will enter orbit before making the trip to the Moon’s surface. In a statement from NASA: "NASA scientific instruments are on their way to the Moon – a giant leap for humanity as we prepare to return to the lunar surface for the first time in more than half a century,” said NASA Administrator Bill Nelson. “These daring Moon deliveries will not only conduct new science at the Moon, but they are supporting a growing commercial space economy while showing the strength of American technology and innovation. We have so much to learn through CLPS flights that will help us shape the future of human exploration for the Artemis Generation.”

For both launches, the first stage boosters made successful landings side by side at LZ- 1 and 2 after their respective launches. Image Credits: Michael Seeley – We Report Space