Intuitive Machines received an $8.2 million contract extension from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s Space Vehicles Directorate to accelerate the development of a Stirling‑based nuclear power conversion system for space missions.
The extension builds on a prior $9.5 million award and follows a successful Preliminary Design Review in September. It will fund the transition of the Stirling system from prototype to flight hardware, with testing scheduled on the ISS National Laboratory as part of the START experiment.
The contract expands Intuitive Machines’ portfolio into a high‑margin, high‑value technology that supports its broader goal of becoming a diversified provider of space infrastructure and data services. Continuous, reliable power from the new system will enable longer lunar and cislunar missions, positioning the company to capture a growing market for sustained space operations.
Intuitive Machines has been investing heavily in lunar lander and nuclear power programs, which has contributed to a negative operating margin but also strengthened its liquidity. The new contract adds to the company’s revenue pipeline and helps de‑risk the nuclear power component of its future offerings.
The development of reliable, non‑solar power sources is critical for missions that encounter extended periods of darkness, such as the lunar night. By securing this funding, Intuitive Machines strengthens its competitive position against established players like Lockheed Martin and emerging startups, and aligns with NASA’s Fission Surface Power initiative and other federal programs that prioritize advanced energy solutions for deep‑space exploration.
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