Space exploration stock Intuitive Machines Inc (NASDAQ:LUNR) is extending its selloff in a big way today. The shares were last seen down 23% at $8.66, after Athena, the company's Nova-C lander, ran into trouble landing on the moon yesterday. Though it landed in the correct vicinity, recent images show it positioned on its side, which could deeply affect the trip duration and success. This comes just over a year after Intuitive's first lunar lander toppled over during its landing. Extending last session's 20 ...

Core Insights - Intuitive Machines successfully completed the IM-2 mission with its lunar lander, Athena, landing 250 meters from the intended site in the Mons Mouton region of the lunar south pole, marking the southernmost lunar landing to date [1][4] - The lander was confirmed to be on its side after landing, and mission controllers were able to achieve several program and payload milestones before the batteries depleted [2] - Due to the harsh sun angles and extreme cold temperatures, the company does not expect Athena to recharge, concluding the mission while data assessment continues [3] Company Overview - Intuitive Machines is a diversified space exploration, infrastructure, and services company focused on disrupting lunar access economics, having previously landed the Nova-C class lunar lander, Odysseus, on the Moon in 2024 [5] - The company operates through four business units: Lunar Access Services, Orbital Services, Lunar Data Services, and Space Products and Infrastructure [6]

Core Insights - Intuitive Machines successfully landed its IM-2 mission lunar lander, Athena, on the Moon at approximately 11:30 a.m. CST, marking a significant achievement in lunar exploration [1] - The company held a joint press conference with NASA to discuss the mission's progress and the collaboration between commercial and government partners in space exploration [2] - Intuitive Machines aims to disrupt lunar access economics and has previously achieved a successful lunar landing with its Nova-C class lander, Odysseus, in 2024 [3] Company Overview - Intuitive Machines is a diversified company focused on space exploration, infrastructure, and services, operating through four business units: Lunar Access Services, Orbital Services, Lunar Data Services, and Space Products and Infrastructure [3] - The company returned the United States to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972 with its previous mission [3]

Core Points - Intuitive Machines successfully landed its second spacecraft, Athena, on the moon, but it may have tipped over during landing [1][2] - The landing occurred on the south pole of the moon, specifically on Mons Mouton, with the exact landing position still being determined [2] - The mission is considered smoother than the previous year's attempt, despite concerns about the spacecraft's orientation [2] Mission Details - Athena was launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket on February 26 and is carrying several technologies for testing [3] - One key technology is a passive laser retroreflector array, essential for NASA's plans to establish a permanent moon base, supported by a $4.8 billion contract awarded to Intuitive Machines [4] - The spacecraft also carries an ice mining experiment aimed at assessing the moon's natural resources for future fuel and breathable oxygen production [4] Additional Payloads - Athena includes a rover named MAPP, designed to test cellular equipment from Nokia [5] - The mission features solid-state storage, which is being promoted as the first-ever "lunar data center" [5]

Core Insights - The IM-2 mission by Intuitive Machines successfully landed the Athena lander on the moon, but its orientation is questionable, raising concerns about its operational status [1][3][26] - NASA's Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter will assist in determining Athena's exact landing position [2][3] - The mission is part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, aimed at utilizing private companies for lunar exploration [6][12] Mission Details - Athena carries various scientific instruments, including a hopping drone and rovers, and is designed to explore the lunar surface [5][6] - The mission's landing occurred near the moon's south pole, a key area for future human exploration [12] - Athena is expected to operate for about 10 days, relying on solar power [13] Scientific Objectives - The mission includes the Polar Resources Ice Mining Experiment 1 (PRIME-1), which aims to measure ice in the lunar soil, crucial for understanding water availability for future missions [16][18] - The presence of lunar ice could provide insights into the history of the solar system and the potential for supporting life on other planets [17] Challenges and Comparisons - Lunar landings are inherently difficult due to the moon's gravity and lack of atmosphere, making soft landings challenging [23][24] - Previous missions, such as Russia's Luna-25 and Israel's Beresheet, faced failures, highlighting the risks involved in lunar exploration [22][25] - Athena's landing issues are reminiscent of past challenges faced by other missions, but there remains hope for achieving its scientific goals [26]

Space-exploration company Intuitive Machines Inc. is set to make its second moon landing, with its uncrewed Nova-C lander, called Athena, expected to reach the lunar surface Thursday afternoon. The company’s LUNR stock, which has risen 175.6% in the last 12 months, is down 2.9% in premarket trades.  ...

Intuitive Machines TodayLUNRIntuitive Machines$12.81 -0.65 (-4.83%) 52-Week Range$3.15▼$24.95Price Target$16.14Add to WatchlistIntuitive Machines NASDAQ: LUNR has an upcoming event that could cause its shares to shoot to the moon or crash and burn. This small-cap space stock has experienced massive volatility in its share price; however, it has provided a huge return of 130% in the past 52 weeks as of Mar. 3. The company is teaming up with NASA to build a lasting human presence on the Moon. It just launche ...

HOUSTON, March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- – Intuitive Machines, Inc. (Nasdaq: LUNR, LUNRW) (“Intuitive Machines”) (“Company”), a leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services company, has appointed James J. Frelk as Senior Vice President, Data Services, effective March 3rd. Mr. Frelk is a senior executive leader with more than 30 years of experience in national security, commercial satellites, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, cyber security, artificial intelligence, and other critical ...

Core Insights - The space exploration industry is experiencing a resurgence, driven by commercial companies like SpaceX and Blue Origin, alongside NASA's Artemis program aiming for a Moon return by 2027 [1] Company Overview - Intuitive Machines specializes in lunar exploration and infrastructure, providing transportation and delivery services to the Moon [3] - The company achieved a significant milestone in 2023 with its Odysseus lunar lander successfully landing on the Moon, marking the first American-made lunar landing since 1972 [4] Recent Achievements - The lunar mission was part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, validating Intuitive Machines' technology and leading to major contract awards [5] - Following the successful mission, NASA awarded Intuitive Machines a $30 million contract for a lunar terrain vehicle for the Artemis V mission [6] - In August, the company secured a $116.9 million contract to deliver payloads to the Moon's south pole for water and chemical compound exploration [7] - A subsequent contract could be worth up to $4.82 billion over the next decade for deploying lunar relay satellites and providing communication services as part of NASA's Artemis campaign [8] Future Plans - The upcoming IM-2 mission is scheduled for launch around February 26, 2024, targeting the Moon's south pole with a payload for surface analysis [9] - The next mission, IM-3, is planned for 2026 [9] Investment Outlook - Intuitive Machines has seen significant technological progress and contract awards, positioning the company well for future opportunities in the growing space economy [10] - The long-term success of the company is contingent on its ability to deliver on contracts, with some projects, like the Artemis V mission, not launching until 2030 at the earliest [11] - Investors with a long-term horizon may find Intuitive Machines a compelling addition to their portfolio as the space economy expands [13]

Intuitive Machines (LUNR -12.82%) stock is getting hit with big sell-offs in Thursday's trading. The company's share price was down 12.2% at 3:30 p.m. ET. Meanwhile, the S&P 500 index had fallen 1.3% and the Nasdaq Composite index was off 2.3%.Investors are selling out of growth stocks today following Nvidia's recent fourth-quarter report, and Intuitive Machines stock has been an outsize participant in the pullback. The company's share price is likely also being pushed lower by a "buy the rumor, sell the ne ...