Intuitive Machines Nova-C
Odysseus in preparation for launch | |
| Manufacturer | Intuitive Machines |
|---|---|
| Designer | Intuitive Machines |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Operator | Intuitive Machines |
| Applications | Lunar payload delivery and support |
| Specifications | |
| Spacecraft type | Lunar lander |
| Bus | Nova-C bus |
| Launch mass | 1,900 kg (4,200 lb) |
| Payload capacity | 100 kg (220 lb) |
| Power | 200 W (0.27 hp) |
| Design life | 14 days after landing |
| Dimensions | |
| Length | 3 m (9.8 ft) |
| Diameter | 2 m (6 ft 7 in) |
| Production | |
| Status | In production |
| On order | 4 |
| Built | 2 |
| Launched | 2 |
| Retired | 2 |
| Maiden launch | 15 February 2024, 1:05 am EST (06:05 UTC) |
| Related spacecraft | |
| Derived from | Project Morpheus |
| Additional flight information | |
| Launch vehicle | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Avg. cost per spacecraft | $118 million US |
| Proximate missions | |
| Last mission | IM-2 |
| Last mission launch date | 27 February 2025 |
| Next mission | IM-3 |
| Next mission launch date | Q1/Q2 2026 |
The Intuitive Machines Nova-C, or simply Nova-C, is a class of lunar landers designed by Intuitive Machines (IM) to deliver small payloads to the lunar surface. It is the first spacecraft to use methalox propulsion to navigate between the Earth and the Moon.
Intuitive Machines was one of three service providers awarded task orders in 2019 for delivery of NASA science payloads to the Moon. The first Nova-C, named Odysseus, was launched for the IM-1 mission by a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on 15 February 2024 and landed on the lunar surface on 22 February. This was the first American spacecraft to perform a soft landing on the Moon in over 50 years. Athena, the second Nova-C lander, was launched on 27 February 2025 for the IM-2 mission. It carried the Micro-Nova Gracie and other rovers and payloads. A third Nova-C will conduct the IM-3 mission, scheduled for the second half of 2026. SpaceX is under contract to provide Falcon 9 launches for each of the three landers.