Source: Caixin News
Author: Xiaoxiang

The glory year of the USA space exploration company - Intuitive Machines ($Intuitive Machines (LUNR.US)$) continues. On Monday, this Houston-based company announced that it has signed more contracts with NASA's Near Space Network (NSN) program.

Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines, stated in a declaration that these contracts will allow the company to fully utilize the maximum potential value of the Near Space Network program, which amounts to $4.82 billion.

The new contracts reportedly will include DTE services supporting geostationary orbit to lunar orbit to provide stronger data transmission and autonomous operation capabilities, as well as DTE services between lunar orbits that meet the mission requirements for high elliptic orbits and deep space operations, corresponding to subcategories 1.2 and 1.3 of the Near Space Network contract.

DTE services (Direct-to-Earth Services) refer to communication and navigation services provided directly to Earth, mainly used in space missions. These services include data transmission, navigation support, and communication links. DTE services are particularly important for executing missions such as lunar exploration and deep space exploration, helping spacecraft successfully leave Earth's orbit, reach targets, and conduct effective scientific research.

Analyst Josh Sullivan from Benchmark issued a report this week stating that the contracts acquired by Intuitive Machines are the "big chunk" of the NSN contracts.

It is worth noting that in September of this year, Intuitive Machines announced that NASA awarded the company subcategory 2.2 of the NSN contract, covering interplanetary data transmission relay and navigation services between Earth and the Moon, after which the company’s stock price soared.

Sullivan wrote that the NSN contract will become the backbone for communication/data relay for round trips to the Moon. Therefore, these results solidify Intuitive Machines' position as a pillar of long-term lunar infrastructure construction, and once put into use, its potential profit margins will be very enticing.

He added, "The NSN contract also provides a large number of backlog projects and long-term financial stability, which is precisely what many space peers lack."

Intuitive Machines' stock price surged 14.2% at Tuesday's close, marking the largest increase in a month. The stock has accumulated a 550% increase so far in 2024.

For many domestic investors, the first time they heard of the name Intuitive Machines may trace back to the first quarter of this year — the company gained worldwide fame for completing the world's first commercial lunar landing in February this year. Although the mission was temporarily interrupted when the lander tripped over a rock and landed on its side, it is still considered a good attempt.

During last month's earnings conference call for Intuitive Machines' third quarter, Altemus stated that the company's IM-2 mission is expected to take place in the first quarter of 2025, with a launch time still estimated for February.

The CEO of Intuitive Machines stated that IM-2 is a "very complex" exploration mission that will deploy drills, hoppers, and rovers on the lunar surface.

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