🚀 Intuitive Machines (LUNR) The $8 Stock Powering NASA’s Return to the Moon

Welcome Investors,

SpaceX is taking astronauts to the Moon…

But who’s delivering the tools to build lunar civilization?

Meet Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR)—the space-tech stock building the infrastructure for a permanent Moon presence.

With a record NASA contract streak, a $4.8B government-backed comms pipeline, and the first U.S. Moon landing in 50+ years already in the books—this sub-$10 stock is becoming the “FedEx + AT&T” of lunar exploration.

Here’s why Intuitive Machines could be your next moonshot:

🚀 NASA’s Go-To Lander Partner – Intuitive Machines has won more CLPS Moon landing contracts than any competitor, with four missions secured and 20+ payloads set for delivery—including critical science missions to the lunar south pole.

📡 $4.8 Billion in Communications Contracts – In 2024, LUNR secured NASA’s sole-source award for lunar satellite communications via the Near Space Network. It’s essentially the Moon’s future ISP—and could generate recurring revenue into 2034.

📈 Massive Revenue Growth – $LUNR ( ▲ 0.2% ) posted ~170% YoY growth in 2024, with $228M in sales. Management forecasts $250–300M for 2025, and analysts see ~$480M by 2026—an 82% CAGR.

📦 Built for Lunar Infrastructure – Intuitive Machines isn’t just landing robots. It’s building Nova-D, a heavy-class lander to deliver rovers, power systems, and Moon base equipment. Think SpaceX for logistics—but smaller, leaner, and already winning bids.

💰 Backlog Explosion – The company’s contract backlog hit $316M in Q3 2024, and that’s before fully booking the $4.8B comms pipeline. Future Artemis contracts could send that backlog into orbit.

🧠 De-Risked & Flight-Proven – In 2024, LUNR’s Nova-C became the first U.S. lander on the Moon in 50+ years, validating its tech—and giving it the first-mover advantage NASA trusts.

📊 Under-the-Radar Valuation – At ~$8, LUNR trades at just ~2x sales—a steep discount to peers like Rocket Lab (4–6x). Our bull case projects $30+ by 2028, supported by revenue growth, margins, and macro momentum.

📅 Stacked Catalysts – IM-2 mission Q1 2025, Artemis crewed flights, new CLPS orders, and potential “Nova-D” infrastructure contracts could all spark upside surprises.

Matthias Schneider
Editor at Analytica Investor

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💸 Valuation Models: Why LUNR Could Be a $30+ Moonshot by 2028

While most investors are chasing space hype, LUNR offers fundamentals, growth, and upside—backed by hard government dollars.

Here’s how the valuation math breaks down:

1. DCF Analysis
By 2028, LUNR could reach ~$700M in revenue with improving margins (~15%). Our model suggests a $2.5–3B enterprise value, implying a ~$30/share target (based on ~80M diluted shares). This assumes no miracle—just successful execution of known contracts.

2. Peer Comparables
LUNR trades at ~2x forward sales. Peers like Rocket Lab trade 4–5x. At even 4x 2026E revenue (~$500M), that’s $2B+ EV—translating to 2–3x upside from today. If earnings reach ~$100M by 2028, a 20x multiple points to $2–2.5B market cap.

3. TAM Scenario
The lunar economy may exceed $10B/year by 2028. If Intuitive Machines secures a 10% market share—reasonable given its first-mover status—that’s $1B in annual revenue potential. Even half that supports multi-billion valuations.

📌 2028 Price Target Range:

• Base case: $25–30

• Bull case (faster NSN + Nova-D wins): $35–40+

• Long-term optionality: Moon mining, data centers, infrastructure ops

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Inside Intuitive Machines: The Lunar Logistics Backbone of the Artemis Era

While headlines focus on mega-cap space players like SpaceX and Lockheed, Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR) is executing a real-world Moon conquest—with active NASA contracts, a validated lander, and a full-stack lunar infrastructure strategy.

This isn’t a dream.

This is flight-proven, revenue-generating Moon tech—with government backing, a growing backlog, and a roadmap to dominate cislunar space.

Target Applications:

• Lunar science missions & south pole payload delivery

• Surface mobility, cargo logistics, and heavy infrastructure drops

• Satellite-powered lunar communication & navigation (Near Space Network)

As Artemis accelerates and lunar ambitions grow globally, Intuitive Machines is positioning itself as the FedEx, Verizon, and Caterpillar of the Moon—and it's trading under $10.

📊 From SpaceX to LUNR: The Next Infrastructure Layer in Space

SpaceX gets astronauts there.
Intuitive Machines builds what they’ll use when they land.

While SpaceX focuses on heavy-lift transport, LUNR owns the “last mile” of the lunar supply chain—landers, communications satellites, surface robotics, and infrastructure delivery.

Where billion-dollar players burn capital on moonshots…
Intuitive Machines is executing lean missions, building cash flow, and stacking government revenue.

🚀 Strategic Expansion Highlights

🛰️ Contract Stack – Four NASA CLPS Moon missions, $316M+ backlog, and 20+ payloads already awarded.

📡 Lunar ISP Play – $4.8B NASA Near Space Network contract gives LUNR first-mover advantage in lunar communications-as-a-service.

📦 Heavy Lander Breakout – Nova-D aims to deliver power systems, habitats, and cargo for Artemis base camp construction.

📈 Financial Inflection – Revenue up 170% YoY, first positive gross margins, and a path to $300M in sales by 2025.

💡 Why LUNR Could Be the Pick-and-Shovel Moon Winner

✅ Flight-Proven Advantage
Its Nova-C lander just became the first U.S. vehicle on the Moon in 50+ years. That credibility de-risks future missions and wins trust.

✅ Lunar Infrastructure Play
With NASA contracts in landers, comms, and surface mobility—LUNR isn’t just delivering payloads, it’s building the Moon’s operational backbone.

✅ Recurring Revenue Model
Data services via NSN, potential lunar GPS, and payload rideshare monetization turn LUNR into a long-term lunar utility.

✅ First Mover in a $170B Economy
As lunar infrastructure demand explodes into the 2030s, LUNR’s early contracts, patents, and technology offer compound advantages.

📈 Bottom Line:

If SpaceX is the rocket…
Intuitive Machines is the logistics network powering lunar life.

In a decade where Artemis base camps, lunar comms, and Moon mining come online—Intuitive Machines may be one of the only pure-play, small-cap equities poised to benefit at every layer.

With a proven lander, a $4.8B comms contract, and the Moon’s first infrastructure blueprint…

$LUNR ( ▲ 0.2% ) may not just be going to the Moon.
It may be the one building it.

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Disclaimer: This newsletter is for informational purposes only and contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Investor Insights Systems does not provide financial advice—please consult a licensed advisor before making investment decisions.