NASA to Launch Artemis II Crewed Moon Mission
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 7 hours ago
0mins
Should l Buy LMT?
Source: seekingalpha
- Crewed Moon Mission: NASA is set to launch Artemis II on Wednesday, marking the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, aimed at reasserting U.S. dominance in space with a planned duration of approximately 10 days.
- Spacecraft Readiness: The mission will utilize the Orion spacecraft, developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, which is currently the only spacecraft capable of crewed deep space flight and high-speed return from lunar proximity.
- Clear Mission Objectives: The primary goal of Artemis II is to test Orion's life-support systems, laying the groundwork for future crewed lunar missions, with NASA stating that the scientific operations will establish a foundation for safe and efficient human exploration of both the Moon and Mars.
- Defined Future Plans: Following Artemis II, the Artemis III mission is scheduled for 2027 to test docking capabilities with commercial landers, while Artemis IV is expected in 2028 to send astronauts to explore the Moon's South Pole region.
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Analyst Views on LMT
Wall Street analysts forecast LMT stock price to fall
12 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 604.390
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
Current: 604.390
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
About LMT
Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global aerospace and defense company. The Company is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration and sustainment of advanced technology systems, products and services. Its segments include Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. Aeronautics segment is engaged in the research, design, development, manufacture, integration, sustainment, support and upgrade of advanced military aircraft. MFC segment provides air and missile defense systems, manned and unmanned ground vehicles, energy management solutions, and others. RMS segment designs, manufactures, services and supports various military and commercial helicopters, surface ships, sea and land-based missile defense systems, and others. Its Space segment is engaged in the research and design, development, engineering and production of satellites, space transportation systems, and strategic, advanced strike, and defensive systems.
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.
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- Timing of Earnings Release: The Q1 earnings results will be published before the market opens, ensuring investors have access to the latest financial data prior to the call, which reflects the company's sensitivity to market dynamics and investor needs.
- Live Webcast Availability: The conference call will be webcast live on Lockheed Martin's website, with accompanying presentation slides and financial charts also available on the same site, enhancing information accessibility and transparency for stakeholders.
- Replay and Podcast: An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available until May 7, 2026, along with a podcast version, further broadening the channels through which investors can access information, highlighting the company's emphasis on diverse communication methods.
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See More
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- Spacecraft Readiness: The mission will utilize the Orion spacecraft, developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, which is currently the only spacecraft capable of crewed deep space flight and high-speed return from lunar proximity.
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See More
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- Earnings Call Announcement: Lockheed Martin will host its Q1 2026 earnings results conference call on April 23, 2026, at 8:30 AM ET, where top executives will discuss financial results and answer questions, demonstrating the company's commitment to transparency and investor communication.
- Timing of Earnings Release: The Q1 earnings results will be published before the market opens, ensuring investors have access to the latest financial data prior to the call, which reflects the company's sensitivity to market dynamics and investor needs.
- Live Webcast Availability: The conference call will be webcast live on Lockheed Martin's website, with accompanying presentation slides and financial charts also available on the same site, enhancing information accessibility and transparency for stakeholders.
- Replay and Podcast: An on-demand replay of the webcast will be available until May 7, 2026, along with a podcast version, further broadening the channels through which investors can access information, highlighting the company's emphasis on diverse communication methods.
See More
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- IPO Process Accelerated: SpaceX has confidentially filed for an IPO with the SEC, aiming for a June listing with a target valuation of $1.75 trillion, which, if successful, would mark the largest public offering in history.
- Massive Fundraising Goal: The company plans to raise up to $75 billion, surpassing Alibaba's $22 billion record set in 2014 for U.S. IPOs, indicating strong market interest and investment potential in the aerospace sector.
- Government Contract Support: Since 2008, SpaceX has secured over $24.4 billion in contracts from the federal government, including support from NASA and the Air Force, providing a robust financial foundation for its IPO.
- Market Environment Challenges: Despite SpaceX's strong fundamentals, increased market volatility could impact the IPO's success, with experts noting that current geopolitical conditions need to improve to ensure investor confidence.
See More
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- Production Capacity Increase: The U.S. Department of Defense has reached a seven-year agreement with Boeing and Lockheed Martin to triple the production of missile seekers for the Patriot missile system, addressing rising global security demands and ensuring the stability of the defense industrial base.
- Supply Chain Optimization: This agreement signifies a shift in procurement strategy towards direct collaboration with lower-tier suppliers, aimed at providing more predictable demand signals that encourage investment in manufacturing capacity, tooling, and workforce development, thereby enhancing supply chain resilience.
- Addressing New Threats: The proliferation of low-cost drones is reshaping modern warfare economics, prompting defense planners to reassess the need for scaling production and developing lower-cost interceptors to counter challenges posed by conflicts in Ukraine and Iran.
- Strategic Implications: This initiative not only aims to replenish stockpiles but also seeks to enhance the air and missile defense capabilities of the U.S. and its allies, ensuring a competitive edge in a complex geopolitical landscape.
See More
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- Mission Readiness: NASA has confirmed that the Artemis II mission will launch as early as Wednesday evening, sending four astronauts on a roughly 10-day journey around the moon, representing the agency's most significant human spaceflight effort in decades and aiming to return to the lunar surface ahead of China's planned crewed landing.
- Launch Window Set: The launch window opens at 6:24 p.m. EDT from Kennedy Space Center, with the Space Launch System rocket carrying the Orion crew capsule, located near the historic Apollo launch pad, and conditions appear favorable with a modest risk of weather disruption.
- Record-Setting Journey: Artemis II will carry astronauts approximately 252,000 miles (405,554.69 kilometers) into space, surpassing the distance reached by Apollo 13, which aborted its lunar landing due to an onboard explosion, marking the first time humans will travel beyond Earth orbit since 1972.
- Future Landing Tests: Unlike its uncrewed predecessor, Artemis II will rigorously test the Orion and Space Launch System with astronauts onboard, evaluating life-support capabilities, communications systems, and onboard controls, with manual operation scheduled several hours into the flight to assess handling in space.
See More
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- Crewed Moon Mission: NASA is set to launch Artemis II on Wednesday, marking the first crewed lunar mission in over 50 years, aimed at reasserting U.S. dominance in space with a planned duration of approximately 10 days.
- Spacecraft Readiness: The mission will utilize the Orion spacecraft, developed in partnership with Lockheed Martin, which is currently the only spacecraft capable of crewed deep space flight and high-speed return from lunar proximity.
- Clear Mission Objectives: The primary goal of Artemis II is to test Orion's life-support systems, laying the groundwork for future crewed lunar missions, with NASA stating that the scientific operations will establish a foundation for safe and efficient human exploration of both the Moon and Mars.
- Defined Future Plans: Following Artemis II, the Artemis III mission is scheduled for 2027 to test docking capabilities with commercial landers, while Artemis IV is expected in 2028 to send astronauts to explore the Moon's South Pole region.
See More
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- Oil Price Surge: Oil prices have risen sharply, with Brent heading for a record monthly surge due to the ongoing Iran conflict, highlighting the direct impact of geopolitical tensions on global energy markets.
- International Negotiation Preparations: Pakistan is set to host U.S.-Iran talks in the coming days, as Trump expresses intent to make a deal, potentially opening new avenues for regional peace while reflecting America's emphasis on diplomatic solutions.
- Military Action Adjustments: Trump's decision to postpone strikes against Iranian energy infrastructure demonstrates a cautious approach to the situation, which may affect U.S. strategic positioning in the Middle East and the confidence of its allies.
See More
