Intuitive Machines Nova-C Lunar Lander

Intuitive Machines = Participated in the CLPS program SpaceX = Under contract to provide Falcon 9 launches for lunar landers NASA = Solicited bids for the CLPS program The New York Times = Obtained NASA documents related to lunar missions

Intuitive Machines Nova-C = Class of lunar landers designed to deliver payloads to the Moon Odysseus = Name of the IM-1 lunar lander that landed on the Moon Methalox propulsion = Type of propulsion system used by the Nova-C lander Space Policy Directive 1 = Signaled NASA's intention to return astronauts to the Moon

February 15, 2024 = Launch of Odysseus by SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket February 21, 2024 = Nova-C reaching lunar orbit February 22, 2024 = First American spacecraft soft landing on the Moon 2017 = Space Policy Directive 1 signaling NASA's intention for lunar missions

<p>IM-2 mission = Scheduled launch in the fourth quarter of 2024 IM-3 mission = Scheduled for early 2025 Falcon 9 launches = Provided by SpaceX for each Nova-C lander IM-1 lunar lander = Reached lunar orbit on February 21, 2024</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Intuitive Machines = Company awarded task orders for delivering NASA science payloads to the Moon Nova-C = Lunar lander design developed by Intuitive Machines IM-1 mission = First Nova-C mission conducted by Intuitive Machines Odysseus = Lander used in the IM-1 mission for lunar landing</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>VR900 main engine = Uses methane and oxygen as liquid propellants Helium reaction control system = Used for attitude control of the vehicle Liquid oxygen and liquid methane = Loaded onto Nova-C at the launch pad Gaseous helium = Pressurizes the propellants in Nova-C</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Solar panels = Source of electrical power for Nova-C landers Photovoltaic system = Generates electrical power using solar panels Lithium-ion batteries = Store excess power and supply it to the spacecraft 788 W = Combined maximum power generated by the solar panels</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Hexagonal cylinder with six landing legs = Structure of Nova-C lander Solar panels generating 200 W of electrical power = Part of the lander structure on the lunar surface 3.938 m tall = Height of Nova-C lander 100 kg payload capacity = Cargo capacity of Nova-C lander</p> Signup and view all the answers

<h1>Falcon 9 launch vehicle = Used to launch the IM-1 mission South Pole region of the Moon = Location of Odysseus's lunar landing</h1> Signup and view all the answers

<p>IM-2 = Fourth quarter of 2024 IM-3 = Early 2025 IM-1 = February 28, 2 PM EST Nova-C = Compatible with methane and oxygen fuel sources</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>TRIDENT ice drill = Sample ice from below the lunar surface MSolo mass spectrometer = Measure the amount of ice in the samples MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE = Monitor the radiation field on the Moon µNova Hopper = Explore difficult-to-reach areas on the lunar surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>PRIME-1 = Includes TRIDENT ice drill and MSolo mass spectrometer ILO-1 = Ruggedized for the Moon South Pole environment Sherpa EScape (Sherpa-ES) = Space tug delivering rideshare payloads Advacam = Provider of MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE payload</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Canadensys = ILO-1 prime contractor Spaceflight = Deliver rideshare payloads on Geo Pathfinder Czech company ADVACAM = Provider of MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE payload Intuitive Machines = Developer of Nova-M lander</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Potential to maintain communication for additional hours after sunset = IM engineers announced Selected SpaceX for a third lunar mission = IM-3 mission Expected launch in early 2025 = IM-3 mission Joint press conference on February 28 at 2 PM EST = IM-1 mission</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Nova-D = Uses two VR-900 engines Nova-M = Uses two VR-3500 engines originally developed by Boeing for HLS Nova-C = Designed to be compatible with methane and oxygen fuel sources µNova Hopper = Function as a standalone hopper lander</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>In-situ resource utilization (ISRU) = 'Harvest' methane and oxygen for Nova-C lander Geo Pathfinder = Deploys a lunar communications satellite Advacam's MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE payload = 'Monitor radiation field on Moon' to understand cosmic rays effects TRIDENT ice drill and MSolo mass spectrometer = 'Sample ice' and 'measure ice amount' respectively from below lunar surface</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>PRIME-1 payload = IM-2 mission MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE payload = 'First Czech payload planned to be delivered' to Moon's surface TRIDENT ice drill and MSolo mass spectrometer payloads = 'Primary payload' for IM-2 mission µNova Hopper payload = 'Separate from Nova-C lander after landing' to explore difficult-to-reach areas</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Canadensys = 'Flight-ready low-cost optical payload' for ILO-1 mission ruggedized for Moon South Pole environment Spaceflight = 'Rideshare payloads' on Geo Pathfinder for IM-2 mission Czech company ADVACAM = 'MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE payload' onboard Nova-C lunar lander Intuitive Machines = 'Potential development of Nova-D lander' using two VR-900 engines</p> Signup and view all the answers

<p>Explore deep craters on lunar surface = 'µNova (Micro Nova) Hopper' will function as a standalone hopper lander exploring difficult-to-reach areas after landing Investigate properties of unexpected magnetic field near Reiner Gamma swirl = 'IM-3 mission' will deliver payloads to Reiner Gamma lunar swirl for CLPS program Deliver Czech payload to Moon's surface for radiation monitoring = 'Advacam's MiniPIX TPX3 SPACE payload' onboard Nova-C lunar lander Launch third lunar mission in early 2025 using SpaceX services = 'IM-3 mission selected SpaceX to launch third lunar mission at some point in 2024</p> Signup and view all the answers