The Nova C lander is capable of launching into an elliptical geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), a standard drop off for large communications satellites with a high point of thousands of miles above the Earth. Under such circumstances, the Nova C Spacecraft would use its propulsion system or a trans-lunar injection (TLI), maneuver to escape the Earth's orbit and fly to the moon.
Fremont, CA: Intuitive Machines is set to launch a commercial lunar lander onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on July 2021, on a mission to deliver multiple payloads to the moon, including up to five science instruments for NASA. Houston-based, Intuitive Machines' first robotic Nova C lander will be able to carry up to 220 pounds of payload to the moon's surface.
“Intuitive Machines is thrilled to sign with SpaceX take Nova-C on its first mission to the moon,” said Steve Altemus, the company's president, and CEO, in a statement. "SpaceX's ability to make low-cost quality lunar transport is paramount to completing NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services contract and Intuitive Machines becoming the first commercial company to land on the moon."
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The Nova C Mission is set to take off from pad 39A at NASA's Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The company believes that SpaceX has a proven record of reliability and outstanding value, which led to the selection of SpaceX as the launch partner, among many others. The Nova C lander is likely to launch on a rideshare mission with other spacecraft on the same Falcon 9 rocket.
“We’re honored that Intuitive Machines selected Falcon 9, SpaceX’s tried and true workhorse, for this pioneering mission to the moon," said Gwynne Shotwell, president of SpaceX. “Our partnership with Intuitive Machines is a great example of two private companies working together with NASA to advance space exploration.”
The Nova C lander is capable of launching into an elliptical geostationary transfer orbit (GTO), a standard drop off for large communications satellites with a high point of thousands of miles above the Earth. Under such circumstances, the Nova C Spacecraft would use its propulsion system or a trans-lunar injection (TLI), maneuver to escape the Earth's orbit and fly to the moon. "Depending on their rideshare, they could have someone that goes to GTO, and we can do our own TLI, or there's a possibility they could throw us (directly toward the moon), so we're protecting for both,” said Trent Martin, vice president of aerospace systems at Intuitive Machines.
The Nova-C lander’s main engine and control thrusters will burn methane mixed with liquid oxygen. Both propellants must be stored at a temperature between minus 250 and minus 300 degrees Fahrenheit to remain in liquid form. “One of the key reasons we went with SpaceX for our launch is that we are getting a top-off of LOX (liquid oxygen) and methane very late, in fact, almost up to launch,” Martin said.
