The IM-1 mission Nova-C class lunar lander is on schedule for a moon landing today (Feb. 22, 2024) — helped by a 2,500-lb capacity transport cradle, manufactured by The Caldwell Group Inc.
Representatives of Rockford, Illinois-based Caldwell were present when Intuitive Machines flight controllers successfully fired the first liquid methane and liquid oxygen engine into space, from the John F. Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida, in the early hours of Thursday, Feb. 15. The engine firing included a full thrust mainstage engine burn and throttle down-profile necessary to land on the moon. The mission remains on schedule for a lunar landing opportunity this afternoon.
Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C spacecraft will become the first U.S. vehicle to land softly on the lunar surface since 1972. Powered by a VR900 engine and replete with innovative avionics for advanced guidance and navigation control, Nova-C can carry 130kg of cargo and ferry numerous commercial and NASA payloads to the lunar surface.
The cradle, which has been utilized at various stages of the long-term project, features a standard Caldwell lifting beam with swivel hooks, enabling a dual crane connection for moving the lander. This 96 in.-long beam is connected to the stand-by slings at a slight 86-degree angle from the beam. The frame was delivered by Caldwell distributor Kennedy Wire Rope & Sling Company Inc., a full-service rigging shop with manufacturing locations in Corpus Christi, San Antonio, and Houston, Texas. Kennedy, which provides an abundance of lifting gear to aerospace and other markets, took the lead on providing high-performance fiber rope slings to Intuitive, which were used to lift the handling system in combination with various lifting technologies, depending on the location.
Hot, bright glow
“This is one of the most exciting projects Patrick Eytalis [Application Specialist at Caldwell] and I have worked on,” said Dan Mongan, senior sales engineer at Caldwell, who was present at the launch. Also at the Kennedy Space Center was Lisa Sympson, marketing manager, who added: “To say the launch was spectacular is an understatement. The hot, bright glow lit up the night sky. Everybody in the stands were screaming and cheering as they saw the glorious payoff of all of their hard work.”
Mongan repeated: “To be involved in such an iconic space program has been an engineering challenge and career highlight. Intuitive Machines gave us the ability to work with all stakeholders to bring the stand and transporter system to fruition. It’s a testament to everyone’s commitment to the end goal over countless hours of consultations and multiple design phases.”
The cradle’s short base was utilized when the lander was in an upright position – on wheels – and combined with the long base for movement and shipment in a horizontal position. An overhead lifting technology was used for upending procedures, while the cradle was also used during transportation. Morgan explained that one of the most innovative parts of the system was the multiple configurations.
The mission is a significant milestone in lunar exploration, set to revolutionize the understanding of the moon, and showcase the progress of commercial space exploration.
Contact for editorial inquiries: Lisa Sympson, lsympson@caldwellinc.com