Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR) stock soared 9.9% through 12:52 p.m. ET on Wednesday -- and it isn't even 7:17 p.m. yet. Why such ultra-specific numbers? Because according to Kennedy Space Center, 7:17 p.

IM-2 is a “very complicated” prospecting mission that will deploy a drill, hopper and rover on the lunar surface, according to the company’s CEO.

Space exploration stock Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) is heading for the moon after it said its second lunar launch was ready to take off. The only private company to have ever touched down on the Moon’s surface,

The IM-2 Mission, which includes the "Athena" lunar lander developed by Intuitive Machines in Houston, is scheduled to blast off on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to the Moon as soon as Wednesday.

Photos of the next spacecraft to launch to the moon have revealed a detail on the lander's footpads that Intuitive Machines hopes will never be seen again.

Intuitive Machines was set on Wednesday for the launch of its second moon lander, aiming to make the latest private U.S. moonshot one year after the space company's first lunar mission ended early with a lopsided landing.

Intuitive Machines out of Texas is sending a second lunar lander, this time Athena, to the moon, where it will drill for water, ice and other gases.

Intuitive Machines is poised to launch its second lunar lander in as many years, marking a significant milestone in commercial space exploration.

Intuitive Machines made history last year as the first private company to put a robot on the Moon, although the triumph was marred by the lander tipping onto its side.