Intuitive Machines awarded maximum $4.82B NSN contract by NASA

Intuitive Machines announced NASA has awarded the company a Near Space Network, or NSN, contract for communication and navigation services for missions in the near space region, which extends from Earth’s surface to beyond the Moon. This Subcategory 2.2 Geostationary Orbit to Cislunar Relay Services is a new Firm-Fixed-Price, Multiple Award, Indefinite-Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity Task Order Contract. The contract has a base period of five years with an additional five-year option period, with a maximum potential value of $4.82B. The incrementally funded base ordering period begins Tuesday, October 1 through September 30, 2029, with the option period potentially extending the contract through September 30, 2034. A key highlight of this contract is the debut of Intuitive Machines’ lunar satellite constellation, a service the company believes is a strategic element in its vision to commercialize lunar activities. The constellation will provide enhanced data and transmission services and autonomous operations, creating an infrastructure in line with Intuitive Machines’ three pillars to commercialize a celestial body. As part of this contract, the company will deploy lunar relay satellites and provide communication and navigation services.