Intuitive Machine (LUNR): The Backbone of Lunar Infrastructure

Lunar Infrastructure: The Backbone of the Artemis Era

We previously discussed the brewing rivalry in space between the USA and China in our article “To The Moon And Mars – Mapping The New Space Race“. At the core of this competition is the race to land the first manned mission on the Moon in the 21st century.

It would be a first for China, and a feat not accomplished in more than 50 years by the USA.

For both sides, the technical challenge is immense. On the USA side, the core of the program is the Artemis Mission (and its Lunar Gateway orbiting the Moon). It is a highly ambitious program, aiming to establish a permanent human presence on the Moon.

Artemis is, however, experiencing serious technical issues, excessive costs, and delays. In part, these troubles stem from its launcher, the SLS, and its reliance on legacy aerospace contractors like Boeing (BA -0.79%), who have struggled with efficiency in recent decades.

Luckily, a new generation of private space companies has emerged. The leader, of course, is Elon Musk’s SpaceX, which revolutionized launch vehicles by proving reusable rockets are viable.

But this also includes companies like Rocket Lab (RKLB -8.46%), which is working hard to catch up with SpaceX.

While private rockets will likely carry NASA astronauts back to the Moon, a lunar base requires more than just a ride. It requires multiple landing systems, cargo delivery, and a reliable communications network.

One company is ahead in providing this technology to future lunar missions: Intuitive Machines.

Solving the Lunar Logistics Gap

Because Artemis is facing delays and budgetary challenges, the exact mechanics of the landing remain fluid. For now, SpaceX’s Starship Human Landing System (HLS) is slated to serve as the initial lander for Artemis III and IV. Meanwhile, Blue Origin’s Blue Moon is slated for later missions like Artemis V.

However, the human landing is just one piece of the colonization puzzle. To sustain a presence, several other logistical hurdles must be cleared:

• Orbital mapping and local surveys of lunar resources.
• Reliable telecommunications through a constellation of satellites (Lunar Relay).
• Reliable power supply to survive the 28-day lunar cycle (moving beyond simple solar).
• Surface vehicles for astronaut mobility.
• Self-driving logistics solutions.

While others focus on building massive rockets, Intuitive Machines is concentrating on the essential support systems that make a Moon presence viable.

Intuitive Machines (LUNR): Company Overview & NASA Role

Intuitive Machines was founded in 2013 in Houston, Texas, with the explicit goal of providing technologies for commercial and government exploration of the Moon.

By 2018, Intuitive Machines was selected by NASA as one of the 9 companies allowed to bid on the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program (CLPS).

This program was designed for the rapid acquisition of lunar delivery services from commercial vendors, speeding up what had been a slow, bureaucratic process. So far, NASA has awarded 11 lunar deliveries to five CLPS vendors. Of these, 4 deliveries went to Intuitive Machines.

In 2023, the company completed its IPO through a SPAC and began trading under the ticker LUNR. Today, the company employs over 400 people.

While IM-1 (2024) and IM-2 (2025) both tipped over upon landing, they were technically the first American spacecraft to reach the surface of the Moon since the Apollo Program. Despite the orientation issues—attributed to altimeter complications—the landers successfully transmitted scientific data.

Intuitive Machines also performed the first firing of an LOx/LCH4 (liquid oxygen – liquid methane) engine in deep space, a critical milestone for future propulsion.

In October 2025, Intuitive Machines announced the acquisition of KinetX for $30M, a specialist in deep space navigation. In November 2025, it followed up with the acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems for $800M.

The Technology Stack

Lunar Delivery Systems

So far, the company has delivered scientific payloads with the Nova-C lander, a 4.3-meter-tall (14 feet) lander able to deliver 130kg of payload to the Moon.

The next step is the Nova-D lander, capable of delivering 1,500-2,500 kg. This payload capacity is required for delivering heavy infrastructure like the Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV) and the Fission Surface Power nuclear reactors.

An additional component is the Orbital Transfer Vehicle (OTV). This modified system can use its propulsion to deliver payloads to high-energy orbits, including Geostationary Orbit (GEO) or Lagrange Points. Intuitive Machines is structuring this as “Infrastructure as a Service,” covering transportation, telecommunication, and energy.

Lunar Terrain Vehicle (LTV)

These car-like vehicles will be the primary means of transportation for astronauts. This contract could be worth up to $4.6B. Intuitive Machines, Astrolab, and Lunar Outpost have been shortlisted, with a final decision expected soon.

Building The Near Space Network

The contract for NASA’s Near Space Network was won in 2024 by Intuitive Machines, with a maximum potential value of $4.82B.

It consists of Earth-based ground stations and a fleet of space relays to ensure constant communication between the Moon and Earth.

“This contract marks an inflection point in Intuitive Machines’ leadership in space communications and navigation.”
— Steve Altemus, CEO

Lunar Power & Nuclear SMR

Together with X-Energy, Intuitive Machine created a joint venture called IX, which won a NASA contract to design a Fission Surface Power (FSP) solution.

This 40 KWe reactor will generate energy continuously, surviving the lunar night. This power is critical not just for life support, but for industrial processes like mining and fuel production.

Lasers and Wireless Power

Because the lunar surface is airless, laser transmission is highly efficient. Intuitive Machines is collaborating with Star Catcher to develop systems that beam energy from orbit to surface infrastructure, reducing the need for massive battery banks on the ground.

Strategic Acquisitions: Moving Beyond the Moon

KinetX

In 2025, Intuitive Machines began reshaping its profile through M&A. The first acquisition was KinetX for $30M. KinetX brings 30 years of deep space navigation experience, having supported missions to Mars, Pluto, and beyond.

Lanteris (formerly Maxar Space Systems)

The second, and massive, acquisition is Lanteris, the company formerly known as Maxar Space Systems. Lanteris is a leading manufacturer of commercial GEO satellites and is building the Power and Propulsion Element for NASA’s Lunar Gateway.

Intuitive Machines will pay $800 million for Lanteris ($450M cash, $350M stock). While this represents significant dilution for existing shareholders, it transforms Intuitive Machines from a pure-play lunar stock into a multi-domain space prime.

Most notably, this acquisition positions Intuitive Machines as a key player in the “Golden Dome” missile defense architecture. Lanteris’ expertise in GEO tracking and secure communications is expected to be vital for the space-based sensor layer championed by President Trump, further diversifying LUNR’s revenue streams beyond NASA science missions.

Conclusion

The combined entity following the merger will be a 1,250-employee company with projected revenues of $630M. Despite delays, NASA remains committed to Artemis, and the future for infrastructure providers remains bright.

With positive free cash flow achieved in Q1 2025 and the stability of the Near Space Network contract, the investment risk profile has improved. The addition of defense contracts through Lanteris helps secure the company’s position as a major US aerospace contractor.

These infrastructures are the foundation of the new space-based economy, a topic we explored further in our dedicated analysis.

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