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A second commercially built moon lander is poised for touchdown on Thursday. Intuitive Machines Nova-C is slated to land on a plateau near the Moon's South Pole.
Mason Peck
Professor of astronautical engineering
Mason Peck, professor of astronautical engineering at Cornell University and former NASA Chief Technologist, says the landing is a great example of private-sector innovation.
Peck says:
“The Nova-C lander is going to bring that future of permanent human presence on the moon much closer to the present. First, it’s a great example of private-sector innovation that NASA has made possible through the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. And even more exciting, NASA will learn how well we can mine the moon – for fuel, oxygen and other essential resources.
“Nova-C will remain a valuable resource even after it completes its surface operations: it has a passive laser retroflector that will serve as a landmark for spacecraft flying overhead. That’s going to help other spacecraft navigate around the moon and even land nearby. So, this historic mission will contribute to human spaceflight and lunar science in a big way.”
