SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
Intuitive Machines has completed its previously announced acquisition of Goonhilly Earth Station and COMSAT LLC, following an agreement reached in May. The transaction adds ground-station and communications assets to Intuitive Machines’ portfolio as it positions itself as a vertically integrated space prime.
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Intuitive Machines has completed its previously announced acquisition of Goonhilly Earth Station and COMSAT LLC, following an agreement reached in May. The transaction adds ground-station and communications assets to Intuitive Machines’ portfolio as it positions itself as a vertically integrated space prime.
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NASA selected new commercial partners for its Moon Base Phase One effort, including multiple lunar lander contracts and prime roles for delivering NASA payloads. NASA also said vendors plan to fly updated versions of already-flown lander designs to support an agency goal of monthly lunar landings. The program adds to a near-$600M push across four lunar missions and includes Intuitive Machines’ prime lunar reconnaissance contracts and Blue Origin progress updates.
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NASA has awarded multiple lunar landing and surface-delivery contracts tied to its Artemis Moon Base effort, selecting Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines for lunar payload missions and awarding nearly $600 million across four robotic lander flights. NASA is also “seriously considering” sending Perseverance’s full-scale engineering model to the Moon and evaluating a potential nuclear-powered rover mission, PROMISE.
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NASA has begun contracting for elements of its moon-base effort, including agreements for robotic landers, rovers and drones, plus delivery of crew-carrying rovers/“moon buggies” to support planned surface operations near the south pole. NASA also signaled that “perimeter” planning and operational safeguards are part of the program’s direction.
Intuitive Machines has entered a definitive agreement to purchase Goonhilly Earth Station Ltd, the UK provider of lunar and deep-space communications, with the deal subject to regulatory approval. The acquisition is positioned to expand Intuitive’s integrated space-to-Earth network, boosting deep-space capacity for communications and PNT services.
L3Harris has retained Lanteris Space Systems — now owned by Intuitive Machines — as the satellite bus supplier for its Space Development Agency Tranche 3 missile-tracking satellites. The move preserves an existing supplier relationship as L3Harris advances spacecraft integration and delivery under its SDA award.
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Our Intuitive Machines news feed provides insights into the company at the forefront of lunar exploration and space technologies. As Intuitive Machines advances its mission to deliver scientific and commercial payloads to the Moon, our coverage keeps you updated on their progress, milestones, and the broader impact of their lunar surface access services on space exploration and industry.
