Intuitive Machines Awarded Contract to Advance Lunar Logistics, Cargo, and Mobility Solutions

Rhea-AI Summary

Intuitive Machines (Nasdaq: LUNR) has been awarded a NASA study contract under the Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnership (NextSTEP) Appendix R program. The $2.5 million contract aims to advance lunar logistics handling, offloading, and surface cargo and mobility solutions.

The company will focus on technologies related to lunar payload transportation using their heavy-cargo-class lunar lander currently in development. The study will also build upon their surface mobility expertise from their work on NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract. The contract has a one-year performance period and is designed to address everyday challenges in the lunar environment identified by NASA's Moon to Mars architecture.

Positive

• Secured new $2.5M NASA contract for lunar logistics study
• Expands company's involvement in NASA's lunar exploration programs
• Leverages existing expertise from Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract

Negative

• None.

Insights

Space Technology & Business Analyst

The $2.5M NASA NextSTEP contract represents more than just its monetary value - it's a strategic positioning move that solidifies Intuitive Machines' role in the emerging lunar economy. The company's selection for this study contract is particularly significant as it builds upon their existing expertise in lunar delivery and infrastructure services.

This award carries three key strategic implications:

• It provides Intuitive Machines with funded research and development for their heavy-cargo-class lunar lander, effectively subsidizing the company's technology development
• It strengthens the company's competitive moat in lunar logistics, as insights gained from this study could influence NASA's future procurement decisions
• It expands their potential revenue streams beyond just lunar delivery to include cargo handling and surface mobility solutions

The contract's focus on practical logistics challenges signals NASA's shift from theoretical planning to actual implementation of lunar operations. For Intuitive Machines, this presents an opportunity to shape industry standards and potentially secure larger implementation contracts in the future. The company's involvement in both the Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract and this new study positions them at the intersection of lunar transportation and surface operations - two critical components of sustainable lunar presence.

While the immediate financial impact is modest, the strategic value lies in the potential for follow-on contracts and the competitive advantage gained from working directly with NASA to develop these capabilities. The one-year performance period allows Intuitive Machines to demonstrate their technical capabilities while maintaining their cash runway through funded research and development.

HOUSTON, Jan. 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, announced today that NASA has awarded the Company a study contract to advance lunar logistics handling and offloading; and surface cargo and mobility under the agency’s Next Space Technologies for Exploration Partnership (NextSTEP) Appendix R.

The NextSTEP Appendix R study contract is intended to advance learning in managing everyday challenges in the lunar environment identified by NASA’s Moon to Mars architecture.

“Intuitive Machines has been methodically working on executing lunar delivery, data transmission, and infrastructure service missions, making us uniquely positioned to provide strategies and concepts that may shape lunar logistics and mobility solutions for the Artemis generation,” said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus. “We look forward to bringing our proven expertise together to deliver innovative solutions that establish capabilities on the Moon and place deeper exploration within reach.”

Intuitive Machines intends to use the approximately $2.5M award to focus on technologies related to the transportation of lunar payloads using the company’s heavy-cargo-class lunar lander, which is currently in development. In addition, the Company expects to expand its surface mobility expertise, gained while working under NASA’s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract. The NextSTEP Appendix R contract has a one-year performance period, which is expected to begin in the coming months.

About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines is a diversified space exploration, infrastructure, and services company focused on fundamentally disrupting lunar access economics. In 2024, Intuitive Machines successfully landed the Company’s Nova-C class lunar lander, Odysseus, on the Moon, returning the United States to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. The Company’s products and services are offered through its four in-space business units: Lunar Access Services, Orbital Services, Lunar Data Services, and Space Products and Infrastructure. For more information, please visit intuitivemachines.com.

Forward-Looking Statements 
This press release includes “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended. These statements that do not relate to matters of historical fact should be considered forward looking. These forward-looking statements generally are identified by the words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “strive,” “would,” “strategy,” “outlook,” the negative of these words or other similar expressions, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding: our expectations, results and plans relating to the NextSTEP contract. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company’s predictions, projections, or expectations based upon currently available information and data. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements in this press release: our factors detailed under the section titled Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the section titled Part I, Item 2, Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the section titled Part II. Item 1A. “Risk Factors” in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in our subsequent filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. 

These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this press release and current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks, and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. 

Contacts

For investor inquiries:

investors@intuitivemachines.com

For media inquiries:

press@intuitivemachines.com

FAQ

What is the value of Intuitive Machines' (LUNR) new NASA NextSTEP contract?

The NASA NextSTEP Appendix R study contract awarded to Intuitive Machines (LUNR) is worth approximately $2.5 million.

How long is the duration of LUNR's NextSTEP Appendix R contract?

The NextSTEP Appendix R contract has a one-year performance period, expected to begin in the coming months.

What technologies will LUNR develop under the new NASA contract?

Under the contract, LUNR will develop technologies related to lunar logistics handling, offloading, surface cargo transportation, and mobility solutions using their heavy-cargo-class lunar lander.

How does the NextSTEP contract align with LUNR's existing NASA projects?

The contract builds upon LUNR's existing work on NASA's Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services contract and complements their lunar delivery, data transmission, and infrastructure service missions.