Artemis II Mission Set to Land Tonight
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Apr 10 2026
0mins
Should l Buy LUNR?
Source: NASDAQ.COM
- Artemis II Landing: The Artemis II mission is scheduled to land tonight at 8 PM, with its success being crucial for NASA's future $20 billion moon base plans, highlighting the mission's strategic significance.
- Intuitive Machines Contract: Intuitive Machines has secured its fifth contract worth $180.4 million for lunar cargo delivery, further solidifying its position in the space industry and paving the way for potentially billions in future contracts.
- Stock Price Reaction: Ahead of the Artemis II landing, Intuitive Machines' stock rose 5.5% by Friday noon, reflecting investor optimism about upcoming space news, despite the absence of specific company announcements.
- Market Outlook: Analysts note that while Intuitive Machines was not included in the top investment stocks list, its ongoing contracts and technological advancements in space exploration could yield significant returns for future investors.
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Analyst Views on LUNR
Wall Street analysts forecast LUNR stock price to fall
10 Analyst Rating
8 Buy
1 Hold
1 Sell
Moderate Buy
Current: 27.520
Low
9.50
Averages
17.74
High
25.00
Current: 27.520
Low
9.50
Averages
17.74
High
25.00
About LUNR
Intuitive Machines, Inc. is a space technology, infrastructure, and services company. It is a provider and supplier of space products and services that enable sustained robotic and human exploration to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Its services include delivery services, data transmission services, and infrastructure as a service. Its delivery services provide transportation and delivery of payloads, such as satellites, scientific instruments and cargo to various destinations in space, in addition to rideshare delivery and lunar surface access. Its data transmission services offerings include the collection, processing, and interpretation of space-based data, utilizing applications, such as command, control, communications, reconnaissance and prospecting. Its infrastructure as a service delivers space assets, performing tasks and making decisions without human intervention that are designed to perform essential functions, such as navigation, scientific data collection, and others.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Intuitive Machines CFO Sells Shares Amid Stock Surge
- Executive Share Sale: On April 15, 2026, Intuitive Machines CFO Peter McGrath sold 24,554 shares for approximately $579,670.83, representing 5.77% of his direct holdings, indicating a moderate reduction in his stake.
- Post-Transaction Holdings: Following the sale, McGrath retains 401,246 shares valued at about $9.5 million, maintaining a significant economic interest in Intuitive Machines, which reflects his ongoing confidence in the company.
- Market Impact: The transaction did not affect any indirect or derivative holdings, as it was executed solely from McGrath's direct account, showcasing a stable outlook on the company's future developments.
- Future Projections: Despite a revenue drop to $210.1 million in 2025, the company forecasts a sales surge to between $900 million and $1 billion in 2026, propelling the stock to a 52-week high of $29.88, indicating a robust market outlook.
See More
Rocket Lab Reports Record Revenue of $602M for 2025
- Significant Revenue Growth: Rocket Lab (RKLB) reported a record revenue of $602 million for 2025, reflecting a 38% year-over-year increase, showcasing its vertical integration across launch vehicles, spacecraft systems, and orbital infrastructure, with a market cap nearing $49 billion, despite ongoing losses, indicating rapid operational leverage.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) generated $70.9 million in revenue for 2025 and projects revenue between $150 million and $200 million for 2026, holding over $1.2 billion in contracted revenue, highlighting its strong growth potential in building a space-based cellular broadband network.
- Increased Contract Value: Planet Labs (PL) posted $307.7 million in revenue for fiscal 2026, up 26% year-over-year, with a backlog of $900 million and 98% recurring contract value, demonstrating its strong competitive position in the Earth observation market and expected benefits from the SpaceX IPO.
- Industry Restructuring Expectations: SpaceX's IPO is set to reprice the entire space ecosystem, with companies like Rocket Lab, AST SpaceMobile, and Planet Labs positioned to gain greater attention and investment opportunities due to their tight ties to the infrastructure layer.
See More
FireFly Aerospace's SciTec Acquisition Strengthens Defense Technology Position
- Acquisition Enhances Defense Tech: FireFly Aerospace's acquisition of SciTec is expected to strengthen its position in defense-related space technology, particularly as government spending increases, thereby expanding market opportunities.
- Market Sentiment Shift: FireFly Aerospace's stock inched up over 0.3% in Friday's premarket, while retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from 'bearish' to 'bullish', indicating growing investor confidence in the company.
- Expanded Service Capabilities: Intuitive Machines' recent acquisition of Lanteris is anticipated to enhance operational capabilities, with analysts believing that the combined entity can broaden its offerings to include national security programs, thus achieving more comprehensive services.
- Launch Growth Expectations: Rocket Lab's Electron rocket program has started 2026 on a solid footing, with projections for approximately 20% annual launch growth, while Roth Capital raised its price target to $100, reflecting ongoing optimism regarding demand for space infrastructure.
See More
Merlin, Inc. Announces Board Composition Post-Merger
- Board Composition: Following its merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV, Merlin, Inc. announced a seven-member Board of Directors, including founder and CEO Matt George as Chairman, reflecting the company's commitment to high governance standards.
- Leadership Background: The board features members like Kenneth Braithwaite, former Secretary of the Navy, and Michael Blitzer, who has extensive experience in aerospace, ensuring strategic depth and diverse perspectives in complex aerospace projects.
- Contract Value Achievement: Under George's leadership, Merlin has secured over $100 million in total contract value, including a USSOCOM IDIQ contract for the C-130J program, showcasing the company's strong position in the defense sector.
- Technological Innovation Goals: Merlin aims to drive technological innovation in aerospace through the development of its autonomous flight operating system, targeting full-stack autonomy for military and civilian aircraft to enhance national security capabilities.
See More
Artemis II Mission Successful, Paving Way for Future Lunar Exploration
- Artemis II Success: The Artemis II mission has successfully concluded, with four astronauts safely back on Earth, laying the groundwork for future lunar bases and demonstrating NASA's ongoing commitment to deep space exploration.
- Reduced Launch Costs: According to CSIS Aerospace Security, SpaceX's reusable Falcon 1 rocket has brought launch costs down to under $6,000 per pound, while Falcon Heavy's costs are around $1,000, significantly lowering the economic barriers to accessing space.
- Emerging Investment Opportunities: With decreasing launch costs, companies like AST SpaceMobile are capitalizing on this trend, planning to deploy up to 60 satellites in low Earth orbit by year-end to provide global mobile broadband, attracting customers like Verizon and Telus.
- Industry Growth Outlook: Research firm IMARC anticipates that the global space launch service market will grow at an average annual rate of nearly 15% through 2034, indicating substantial opportunities for investors in this emerging sector.
See More
Significant Drop in Space Launch Costs
- Dramatic Cost Reduction: The cost of sending payloads into space has fallen by over 90% since the inception of modern rocketry, accelerating the development of satellites and related technologies, which is expected to create new investment opportunities in the space industry.
- Successful Artemis II Mission: NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully returned four astronauts to Earth, marking a significant step in the U.S. lunar exploration efforts and laying the groundwork for future lunar base establishment.
- AST SpaceMobile Network Expansion: AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy up to 60 satellites in low Earth orbit by the end of the year to provide mobile broadband internet from space, having already partnered with Verizon and Telus, indicating strong market potential.
- Optimistic Industry Growth Outlook: IMARC forecasts that the global space launch service market will grow at an average annual rate of nearly 15% through 2034, reflecting increasing investment opportunities as launch costs continue to decline.
See More
Intuitive Machines CFO Sells Shares Amid Stock Surge
- Executive Share Sale: On April 15, 2026, Intuitive Machines CFO Peter McGrath sold 24,554 shares for approximately $579,670.83, representing 5.77% of his direct holdings, indicating a moderate reduction in his stake.
- Post-Transaction Holdings: Following the sale, McGrath retains 401,246 shares valued at about $9.5 million, maintaining a significant economic interest in Intuitive Machines, which reflects his ongoing confidence in the company.
- Market Impact: The transaction did not affect any indirect or derivative holdings, as it was executed solely from McGrath's direct account, showcasing a stable outlook on the company's future developments.
- Future Projections: Despite a revenue drop to $210.1 million in 2025, the company forecasts a sales surge to between $900 million and $1 billion in 2026, propelling the stock to a 52-week high of $29.88, indicating a robust market outlook.
See More
Rocket Lab Reports Record Revenue of $602M for 2025
- Significant Revenue Growth: Rocket Lab (RKLB) reported a record revenue of $602 million for 2025, reflecting a 38% year-over-year increase, showcasing its vertical integration across launch vehicles, spacecraft systems, and orbital infrastructure, with a market cap nearing $49 billion, despite ongoing losses, indicating rapid operational leverage.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: AST SpaceMobile (ASTS) generated $70.9 million in revenue for 2025 and projects revenue between $150 million and $200 million for 2026, holding over $1.2 billion in contracted revenue, highlighting its strong growth potential in building a space-based cellular broadband network.
- Increased Contract Value: Planet Labs (PL) posted $307.7 million in revenue for fiscal 2026, up 26% year-over-year, with a backlog of $900 million and 98% recurring contract value, demonstrating its strong competitive position in the Earth observation market and expected benefits from the SpaceX IPO.
- Industry Restructuring Expectations: SpaceX's IPO is set to reprice the entire space ecosystem, with companies like Rocket Lab, AST SpaceMobile, and Planet Labs positioned to gain greater attention and investment opportunities due to their tight ties to the infrastructure layer.
See More
FireFly Aerospace's SciTec Acquisition Strengthens Defense Technology Position
- Acquisition Enhances Defense Tech: FireFly Aerospace's acquisition of SciTec is expected to strengthen its position in defense-related space technology, particularly as government spending increases, thereby expanding market opportunities.
- Market Sentiment Shift: FireFly Aerospace's stock inched up over 0.3% in Friday's premarket, while retail sentiment on Stocktwits shifted from 'bearish' to 'bullish', indicating growing investor confidence in the company.
- Expanded Service Capabilities: Intuitive Machines' recent acquisition of Lanteris is anticipated to enhance operational capabilities, with analysts believing that the combined entity can broaden its offerings to include national security programs, thus achieving more comprehensive services.
- Launch Growth Expectations: Rocket Lab's Electron rocket program has started 2026 on a solid footing, with projections for approximately 20% annual launch growth, while Roth Capital raised its price target to $100, reflecting ongoing optimism regarding demand for space infrastructure.
See More
Merlin, Inc. Announces Board Composition Post-Merger
- Board Composition: Following its merger with Inflection Point Acquisition Corp. IV, Merlin, Inc. announced a seven-member Board of Directors, including founder and CEO Matt George as Chairman, reflecting the company's commitment to high governance standards.
- Leadership Background: The board features members like Kenneth Braithwaite, former Secretary of the Navy, and Michael Blitzer, who has extensive experience in aerospace, ensuring strategic depth and diverse perspectives in complex aerospace projects.
- Contract Value Achievement: Under George's leadership, Merlin has secured over $100 million in total contract value, including a USSOCOM IDIQ contract for the C-130J program, showcasing the company's strong position in the defense sector.
- Technological Innovation Goals: Merlin aims to drive technological innovation in aerospace through the development of its autonomous flight operating system, targeting full-stack autonomy for military and civilian aircraft to enhance national security capabilities.
See More
Artemis II Mission Successful, Paving Way for Future Lunar Exploration
- Artemis II Success: The Artemis II mission has successfully concluded, with four astronauts safely back on Earth, laying the groundwork for future lunar bases and demonstrating NASA's ongoing commitment to deep space exploration.
- Reduced Launch Costs: According to CSIS Aerospace Security, SpaceX's reusable Falcon 1 rocket has brought launch costs down to under $6,000 per pound, while Falcon Heavy's costs are around $1,000, significantly lowering the economic barriers to accessing space.
- Emerging Investment Opportunities: With decreasing launch costs, companies like AST SpaceMobile are capitalizing on this trend, planning to deploy up to 60 satellites in low Earth orbit by year-end to provide global mobile broadband, attracting customers like Verizon and Telus.
- Industry Growth Outlook: Research firm IMARC anticipates that the global space launch service market will grow at an average annual rate of nearly 15% through 2034, indicating substantial opportunities for investors in this emerging sector.
See More
Significant Drop in Space Launch Costs
- Dramatic Cost Reduction: The cost of sending payloads into space has fallen by over 90% since the inception of modern rocketry, accelerating the development of satellites and related technologies, which is expected to create new investment opportunities in the space industry.
- Successful Artemis II Mission: NASA's Artemis II mission has successfully returned four astronauts to Earth, marking a significant step in the U.S. lunar exploration efforts and laying the groundwork for future lunar base establishment.
- AST SpaceMobile Network Expansion: AST SpaceMobile plans to deploy up to 60 satellites in low Earth orbit by the end of the year to provide mobile broadband internet from space, having already partnered with Verizon and Telus, indicating strong market potential.
- Optimistic Industry Growth Outlook: IMARC forecasts that the global space launch service market will grow at an average annual rate of nearly 15% through 2034, reflecting increasing investment opportunities as launch costs continue to decline.
See More
