NASA Awards Intuitive Machines $116.9M Contract

By Bobby Samwell • Friday, August 30 07:55 • Permanent Link

Intuitive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUNR, LUNRW) has recently been awarded a significant contract by NASA, amounting to $116.9 million. This contract is for the delivery of six science and technology payloads to the moon's south pole, including a drill suite led by the European Space Agency.

This marks the fourth contract awarded to Intuitive Machines as part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The company's CEO, Steve Altemus, expressed enthusiasm about working closely with NASA to ensure mission success. Notably, this contract will leverage the company's capabilities in lunar delivery, data transmission, and autonomous operations to explore the region earmarked for sustained human operations.

The specific payloads to be delivered include the Lunar Explorer Instrument for Space Biology Applications (LEIA), the Package for Resource Observation and In-Situ Prospecting for Exploration, Characterization, and Testing (PROSPECT), the Laser Retroreflector Array (LRA), the Surface Exosphere Alterations by Landers (SEAL), the Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG), and the Lunar Compact Infrared Imaging System (L-CIRIS).

Intuitive Machines is currently in the final assembly phase of its second lunar mission and is set to deliver the completed lander to the launch facility by late 2024. Simultaneously, the company is also progressing with its third lunar mission, focusing on systems integration and testing.

The company, which became the first commercial entity to land and operate on the lunar surface in 2024, is described as a diversified space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, with a focus on establishing a new economy in cislunar space. Intuitive Machines aims to empower its customers to achieve ambitious visions and commercial goals in space through collaboration with its service pillars: delivery, data & analysis, and autonomous operations.

Following these announcements, the company's shares moved 3.2%, and are now trading at a price of $4.82. For more information, read the company's full 8-K submission here.

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