NASA Awards $600M in Lunar Contracts to Three Space Companies for 2028 Missions

TLDR

Table of Contents

NASA has commissioned Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines to conduct four moon landings scheduled for late 2028
Combined contract value approaches $600 million through NASA’s Moon Base Program initiative
Intuitive Machines stock surged highest, climbing nearly 7% during premarket hours
Voyager Technologies, acquiring Astrobotic, saw shares increase 3.5%
All three contractors remain unprofitable with profitability forecasted between 2028-2030

NASA has distributed approximately $600 million in lunar mission contracts among three private sector aerospace firms for moon landings planned for late 2028.

On Tuesday, Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines secured awards through NASA’s Moon Base Program. The companies will transport scientific equipment to the moon’s surface, supporting efforts to establish America’s sustained lunar presence.

Firefly Aerospace Inc., FLY

Astrobotic captured the lion’s share with $297.9 million designated for two distinct lander missions. Intuitive Machines secured $148.3 million for a single mission, and Firefly Aerospace obtained $144.2 million for one lunar lander deployment.

Lori Glaze, NASA’s associate administrator, stated the contracts reflect the space agency’s dedication to establishing a “long-term presence on the lunar surface.”

Understanding NASA’s Moon Base Program

NASA’s Moon Base Program represents an ambitious effort to create humanity’s inaugural permanent lunar outpost near the South Pole. The initiative unfolds across three distinct phases extending through 2032 and beyond.

Initial phases focus on robotic exploration, eventually advancing toward a semi-permanent human settlement. Sustained human occupation of the moon could materialize by 2032. Additionally, the program functions as a crucial preparatory step for eventual manned missions to Mars.

These awards flow through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative. The CLPS program depends on commercial partnerships to supply necessary infrastructure and scientific instrumentation for Moon Base operations.

Market Response

Intuitive Machines experienced the most significant premarket surge, with shares climbing almost 7% to reach $22.84. The company’s stock had already appreciated 32% throughout 2026 prior to Wednesday’s announcement.

Firefly Aerospace stock advanced approximately 3% to $30.28. The company had posted 31% gains year-to-date before the contract news.

Astrobotic currently faces acquisition by Voyager Technologies. Voyager’s stock jumped 3.5% in premarket activity to $33.39, building on a 23% year-to-date advance.

Voyager anticipates generating $241 million in aggregate revenue during 2026.

Firefly projects $441 million in 2026 revenues. Intuitive Machines paces the group with anticipated 2026 sales reaching $932 million.

Space sector equities have demonstrated strong performance throughout the year. SpaceX’s initial public offering, valuing the enterprise near $1.8 trillion, boosted optimism across the broader industry.

Currently, none of these contract recipients operate profitably. Market analysts project profitability emerging sometime between 2028 and 2030 as mission-related revenues accumulate.

Firefly additionally obtained a separate $75 million subcontract from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in May 2026 for constructing and delivering four hopping “MoonFall” drones.

Intuitive Machines previously received a $180.4 million NASA contract for delivering instrument payloads by 2030.

These latest Moon Base Program awards expand the order backlog for all three contractors as NASA expedites its lunar surface return strategy.

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