Intuitive Machines, Firefly Aerospace Win NASA Lunar Lander Contracts Worth Nearly $600 Million

TLDR

• NASA selected Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines for four lunar missions in late 2028
• Total contracts worth nearly $600 million under the Moon Base Program
• Intuitive Machines led stock gains, up almost 7% in premarket trading
• Astrobotic is being acquired by Voyager Technologies, whose shares rose 3.5%
• None of the three companies are profitable yet; profits expected between 2028 and 2030

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NASA has awarded nearly $600 million in contracts to three commercial space companies to land missions on the moon in late 2028.

Astrobotic, Firefly Aerospace, and Intuitive Machines were selected on Tuesday under NASA’s Moon Base Program. Each company will deliver science payloads to the lunar surface as part of a plan to build a permanent American presence on the moon.

Firefly Aerospace Inc., FLY

Astrobotic won the largest share, receiving $297.9 million for two separate lander deliveries. Intuitive Machines was awarded $148.3 million for one mission, while Firefly Aerospace received $144.2 million for one lunar lander delivery.

NASA’s associate administrator Lori Glaze said the awards demonstrate the agency’s commitment to building a “long-term presence on the lunar surface.”

What Is the Moon Base Program?

NASA’s Moon Base Program aims to establish humanity’s first permanent outpost near the lunar South Pole. The project runs in three phases through 2032 and beyond.

It begins with robotic scouting and is designed to progress to a semi-permanent crewed settlement. Human habitation on the moon could become reality by 2032. The program also aims to serve as a stepping stone for future crewed missions to Mars.

The contracts are issued through NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services, or CLPS, initiative. This program relies on commercial partners to provide the infrastructure and science tools needed for the Moon Base.

Stock Reaction

Intuitive Machines saw the biggest premarket move, with shares up almost 7% to $22.84. The stock had already gained 32% in 2026 coming into Wednesday.

Firefly Aerospace shares rose about 3% to $30.28. The stock was up 31% for the year before the announcement.

Astrobotic is in the process of being acquired by Voyager Technologies. Voyager shares climbed 3.5% in premarket trading to $33.39, and were already up 23% for the year.

Voyager is expected to generate $241 million in total sales in 2026.

Firefly is expected to generate $441 million in 2026 sales. Intuitive Machines leads the group with projected 2026 sales of $932 million.

Space stocks broadly have performed well this year. SpaceX’s IPO, which valued the company at around $1.8 trillion, helped lift sentiment across the sector.

None of the three contract winners are currently profitable. Analysts expect profits to arrive somewhere between 2028 and 2030 as mission revenue builds.

Firefly also secured a separate $75 million subcontract from NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in May 2026, to build and deliver four hopping “MoonFall” drones.

Intuitive Machines received an earlier $180.4 million NASA contract to deliver a suite of instruments by 2030.

The new Moon Base Program contracts add to a growing backlog for all three companies as NASA accelerates its return to the lunar surface.