Intuitive Machines is an American space exploration company that provides lunar surface access, payload delivery, and data transmission services. As a NASA CLPS partner, they design and build lunar landers like Nova-C to transport payloads to the Moon. Their customers include NASA, for whom they deliver science instruments and technology demonstrations as part of the Artemis program, and they are developing lunar data relay satellites. Intuitive Machines aims to commercialize the Moon through infrastructure and services.
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Intuitive Machines has been selected by NASA to provide a lunar satellite constellation for communication and navigation services for Artemis activities.
Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus states that the acquisition of Lanteris marks an evolution towards becoming a vertically integrated space prime for national security, civil, and commercial missions.
Intuitive Machines aims to commercialize NASA's Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System (TDRS).
Intuitive Machines plans to integrate Lanteris's satellite production into its existing business to expand its Lunar Data Relay constellation.
Intuitive Machines and Lanteris combined have revenue of more than $850 million, positive adjusted EBITDA, and a backlog of $920 million as of the end of September.
Intuitive Machines is acquiring satellite manufacturer Lanteris Space Systems for $800 million, comprising $450 million in cash and $350 million in stock.
Intuitive Machines became publicly traded after a SPAC merger in 2023.
Intuitive Machines is focused on commercializing lunar access through delivery services, data transmission, and infrastructure as a service.
Intuitive Machines is developing reliable, scalable energy systems like Stirling engines that provide continuous power and heat in a smaller package.
Tim Crain, Ph.D., co-founder and chief growth officer for Intuitive Machines, emphasized that the contract advancement from design to flight hardware is critical for proving compact nuclear power systems can survive and perform in space.
By testing Stirling technology on the ISS National Lab, Intuitive Machines aims to raise its readiness level from prototype to space-flown.
Intuitive Machines is using the funding to accelerate the readiness of compact nuclear power conversion technology that overcomes solar power limitations and enables longer missions on the Moon and in deep space.
Intuitive Machines successfully completed a Preliminary Design Review in September for the Stirling-based power conversion system.
Intuitive Machines, Inc. has received an $8.2 million contract extension from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate to develop next-generation nuclear power systems for spacecraft and lunar infrastructure.
Intuitive Machines has been studying high-powered nuclear fission-based systems under contract to the Department of Energy with funding from NASA’s Fission Surface Power project.
Intuitive Machines is vertically integrated across space data, infrastructure, and delivery services to rapidly innovate and deliver high-performance technologies for sustained operations in space.
Intuitive Machines previously received a $9.5 million award under an AFRL program to develop compact nuclear power systems for space applications.
With new funding, Intuitive Machines will begin preparing the nuclear power system for flight to demonstrate space-based nuclear power in orbit.
Intuitive Machines is developing a lunar ascent strategy using the Nova-D lander.
NASA's PRIME-1 drill was unable to excavate lunar water due to an unsuccessful landing attempt by Intuitive Machines.