Intuitive Machines Announces $180.4 Million NASA Contract to Expand Lunar Surface Operations with Delivery of Seven Payloads
As part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (“CLPS”) initiative, this award marks Intuitive Machines’ fifth CLPS task order and the first to require a larger cargo class (Nova-D) lunar lander.
(Houston, Texas) Intutive Machines, Inc. (NASDAQ: LUNR) announced this afternoon (Mar. 24) that NASA has awarded the company a $180.4 million contract to deliver seven science and technology payloads, including an Australian Space Agency lunar rover and technologies from Blue Origin’s Honeybee Robotics, to the Lunar South Pole Region.
Rendering of the Intuitive Machines larger cargo class (Nova-D) lunar lander with the Honeybee Robotics lunar rover (lower right) and the Australian Space Agency’s Roo-Ver lunar rover (lower left), courtesy of Intuitive Machines.
Intuitive Machines’ space infrastructure, Lunar landing system, Space Data Network (“SDN”), and autonomous surface operations capabilities will be used to support payload delivery, according to today’s press release from the company.
The award is part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (“CLPS”) initiative, and marks Intuitive Machines’ fifth CLPS task order and the first to require a larger cargo class (NOva-D) lunar lander to deliver science and technology payloads and return valuable data while autonomously operating on the lunar surface.
Per today’s press release, Intuitive Machines has proven the performance of its scalable space infrastructure through its successful IM-1 and IM-2 missions, including the first commercial spacecraft to land and operate on the Moon and the southernmost lunar surface operations ever achieved; the company’s upcoming IM-3, IM-4 and IM-5 flights will build on the lessons learned and foundations built from IM-1 and IM-2.
“We believe our space infrastructure provides the scalability and flexibility needed to support an increased cadence of new Artemis missions and advance national objectives. This CLPS award accelerates our expansion efforts as we build, connect, and operate the systems powering that infrastructure,” said Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines. “We look forward to working closely with NASA to deliver mission success on IM-5 and to provide sustained operations and persistent connectivity in the cislunar environment and across the solar system.”
