SpaceX will launch Intuitive Machine’s Athena lunar lander toward the moon’s south pole on Wednesday, marking the latest mission by Intuitive Machine to explore the moon’s surface after completing the first-ever lunar landing by a private company last year.

The IM-2 is headed for an expected landing at the moon's south pole March 6 carrying a payload of exploration gear.

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.