SpaceX’s Nova-C Lander on Way to Moon’s South Pole Region

Intuitive Machine’s Nova-C lander was launched by SpaceX. It is NASA’s second attempt to land a private spacecraft on the lunar surface.

The Nova-C lander spacecraft was launched aboard a Falcon-9 rocket to space. The launch was scheduled for Valentine’s Day. It was postponed to Thursday because of issues with fuel loading.

The Falcon-9 rocket will put the spacecraft on a direct trajectory to the Moon. Taking this trajectory, the spacecraft will take nearly a week to land on the Moon.

The Nova-C spacecraft is equipped with 3D-printed engines that will be fired in the coldness of space to guide the spacecraft into its landing mission.

The Nova-C is scheduled to touch down on the Moon on February 22 in the Moon’s South Pole at a satellite crater adjacent to the larger Malapert crater, which spans 69 kilometres. The landing spot will be at a distance of around 300 kilometres from the Moon’s South Pole.

The Nova-C lander, part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program aims to deliver scientific and technological payloads that will pave the way for future human missions and a sustainable human presence on the lunar surface.