Nova-C lunar lander
A robotic lander that carries NASA and commercial payloads to the Moon. Two have landed, both in the south polar region, and both ended up tipped over.
Why it matters
Nova-C's 2024 landing was the first U.S. Moon landing since 1972, and it showed that NASA can buy Moon deliveries from private companies instead of building its own landers. Its record so far shows how hard precise landings on rough polar terrain still are.
How the technology works
Nova-C carries payloads to the Moon and lands on its own, using laser rangefinders and camera-based navigation to judge its approach. On IM-1 the rangefinders failed and it landed using inertial and optical navigation alone.
Payloads are mounted on the lander and powered by its solar panels until the Sun sets at the site.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction