Intuitive Machines Nova-C vs NASA Perseverance
Head-to-head comparison of Astrobotic Intuitive Machines Nova-C and NASA JPL NASA Perseverance. Updated 2026.
Last updated: May 18, 2026
Overall Score
71.0/ 100
Intuitive Machines Nova-C
Astrobotic
82.5/ 100
NASA Perseverance
NASA JPL
Score Breakdown
75
Performance90
68
Reliability88
55
Ease of Use60
75
Intelligence88
80
Value72
72
Ecosystem85
78
Safety90
72
Design85
Specs Comparison
| Spec | Intuitive Machines Nova-C | NASA Perseverance |
|---|---|---|
| Price | $77,000,000 | $2,700,000,000 |
| Landing | Malapert A crater | — |
| Program | NASA CLPS | — |
| Payloads | 6 | — |
| Propulsion | Liquid methane/LOX | — |
| Lander Mass Kg | 675 | — |
| Payload Capacity Kg | 100 | — |
| Power | — | Multi-Mission RTG 110W |
| Wheels | — | 6 |
| Cameras | — | 23 |
| Mass Kg | — | 1025 |
| Mission | — | Mars Sample Return cache |
| Dimensions | — | 3m x 2.7m x 2.2m |
| Instruments | — | 7 |
| Top Speed Cmps | — | 4.2 |
Buyer Intelligence
| Metric | Intuitive Machines Nova-C | NASA Perseverance |
|---|---|---|
| Vendor Health Score | — | — |
| 5-Year TCO Estimate | $107,800,000 | $3,780,000,000 |
| Annual Maintenance | — | — |
| Support Model | — | — |
| Safety Certifications | — | — |