SpaceWatch Global
• Joshua Faleti
Space42 and Viasat are committing up to $1 billion to establish Equatys for mobile satellite services, while Telesat partners with SatPort to expand its Lightspeed ground network. Northwood Space unveiled a new ground antenna, and Involve Space secured ESA funding for its StratoSAR radar platform.
Intuitive Machines
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Intuitive Machines is evaluating how satellite capabilities obtained through an acquisition could support its entry into the emerging orbital data center market. The effort would extend the company’s commercial space portfolio beyond its existing activities and position it around a nascent space-infrastructure opportunity.
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Space42 and Viasat are committing up to $1 billion to establish Equatys for mobile satellite services, while Telesat partners with SatPort to expand its Lightspeed ground network. Northwood Space unveiled a new ground antenna, and Involve Space secured ESA funding for its StratoSAR radar platform.
Intuitive Machines has secured a contract to build two IM 300 series platforms for an undisclosed commercial customer. The satellites will be produced at the company’s high-volume Palo Alto facility, using the platform that has also supported Space Development Agency missions.
Intuitive Machines’ $853.3 million acquisition of Maxar Space Systems remains unproven, but a three-satellite order and potential orbital data-center applications strengthen the strategic rationale. The transaction gives Intuitive Machines exposure to large-satellite manufacturing while adding possible growth beyond its existing space businesses.
Intuitive Machines said Aug. 13 that it secured a $600 million contract from an undisclosed customer to provide three geostationary-orbit communications satellites. The award expands the company’s satellite business and represents a significant commercial program beyond its lunar exploration activities.
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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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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.
