Intuitive Machines facts for kids
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Lunar Operations Facility at Houston Spaceport
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| Public | |
| Traded as | NASDAQ: LUNR |
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | 2013 |
| Founders |
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| Headquarters |
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U.S.
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Key people
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Steve Altemus (president and CEO) |
| Products | Lunar lander, Mission Control Center, Ground stations, additive manufacturing |
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Number of employees
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250+ (as of 27 October 2023[update]) (135-150, in 2022) |
Intuitive Machines, Inc. is an American company that explores space. It is based in Houston, Texas. The company was started in 2013 by Stephen Altemus, Kam Ghaffarian, and Tim Crain. Their goal was to help both businesses and the government explore the Moon.
Today, Intuitive Machines helps send things to the Moon's surface. They also provide ways to send data from space and build important equipment there. NASA has given Intuitive Machines several contracts. These contracts are part of NASA's program to deliver scientific tools to the Moon. Intuitive Machines is also helping NASA develop new Moon buggies.
Contents
About Intuitive Machines
Intuitive Machines aims to open up space for businesses. They do this by focusing on three main areas:
- Sending things to the Moon: This includes transporting satellites, scientific tools, and other cargo. They also offer rides for smaller items.
- Collecting space data: They gather, process, and understand information from space. This involves controlling spacecraft and exploring new areas.
- Building Moon infrastructure: They create equipment on the Moon that can work on its own. This includes systems for navigation, maintenance, and collecting scientific data.
Nova-C Lunar Lander
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The Nova-C is a special lunar lander built by Intuitive Machines. In 2018, NASA chose Intuitive Machines as one of nine companies to work on the Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program. This program focuses on exploring and using the Moon's natural resources.
In 2019, NASA gave Intuitive Machines $77 million to build and launch their Nova-C Moon lander. The first mission for the Nova-C lander was planned to go to a deep valley called Vallis Schröteri. Later, the mission changed its target to Malapert A crater, which is near the Moon's south pole.
Moon Missions
Intuitive Machines has several exciting missions planned to the Moon.
IM-1 Mission
The IM-1 mission was Intuitive Machines' first trip to the Moon. They had a contract with NASA to carry five NASA science tools and other items for businesses. Their Nova-C lander, named Odysseus, traveled for seven days to reach the Moon.
On February 22, 2024, Odysseus successfully landed on the Moon. This was the first time an American spacecraft landed on the Moon since the Apollo program in 1972. It was also the first time a spacecraft reached the Moon's south pole region. Even though the lander fell on its side, its instruments still worked. The mission was considered a success!
IM-2 Mission
The IM-2 mission, named Athena, launched in February 2025. It carried a small hopping robot called Micro-Nova Gracie and other tools. This mission is designed to find water on the Moon using a drill. The Micro-Nova hopper can jump across the Moon's surface to explore.
The Athena lander also made a soft landing in March 2025, but it landed on its side. This meant it couldn't recharge or deploy all its tools. Operations for this mission ended shortly after.
IM-3 Mission
The third lunar delivery mission is being prepared for early 2026. This mission plans to launch the first of five satellites that will help send data around the Moon.
IM-4 Mission
The fourth mission will deliver two more data relay satellites. NASA awarded Intuitive Machines a contract for this mission in September. This mission to the Moon's south pole will carry six NASA tools and a drill from the European Space Agency to search for water ice.
Near Space Network Services (NSNS)
Intuitive Machines is also in charge of the Near Space Network Services (NSNS) contract. This means they will help with data transmission for communications and navigation in space. The company plans to use its Moon missions to put a group of data relay satellites around the Moon. This is a big part of their plan to help businesses and NASA's Artemis program. The goal is to have a lasting human presence on the Moon and make space exploration more commercial.
Working with KBR
In April 2023, Intuitive Machines and another company called KBR formed a joint venture called Space Networks Solution. They won a five-year contract worth up to $719 million. This contract is to support NASA's Joint Polar Satellite System.
Images for kids
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Lunar Operations Facility at Houston Spaceport
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Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander.
