Overview of Contractors for Artemis II Mission
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: Mar 30 2026
0mins
Source: seekingalpha
- Prime Contractor Role: In NASA's Artemis II mission, Lockheed Martin serves as the prime contractor for the Orion capsule, responsible for constructing the crew module and the launch abort system, ensuring astronaut safety and mission viability.
- Core Stage Responsibility: Boeing is tasked with the core stage of the Space Launch System rocket, including fuel tanks and flight systems, which are critical for the rocket's stability and effectiveness during launch, thereby enhancing mission success rates.
- Thrust Generation: Northrop Grumman supplies the twin solid rocket boosters that provide the majority of thrust during liftoff and key components for the capsule's abort system, significantly improving the mission's safety and reliability.
- European Service Module: Airbus, through the European Space Agency, constructed the European Service Module that supplies propulsion, electrical power, temperature regulation, and life-support resources for the Orion capsule, ensuring astronaut survival and operational capability during the lunar mission.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Stop guessing "Should I Buy LMT?" and start using high-conviction signals backed by rigorous historical data.
Sign up today to access powerful investing tools and make smarter, data-driven decisions.
Analyst Views on LMT
Wall Street analysts forecast LMT stock price to rise
12 Analyst Rating
4 Buy
7 Hold
1 Sell
Hold
Current: 520.410
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
Current: 520.410
Low
430.00
Averages
535.50
High
605.00
About LMT
Lockheed Martin Corporation is an aerospace and defense technology company. The Company's segments include Aeronautics, Missiles and Fire Control (MFC), Rotary and Mission Systems (RMS) and Space. The Aeronautics segment is engaged in research, design, development, manufacture, integration, sustainment, support and upgrade of advanced military aircraft, including combat and air mobility aircraft, unmanned air vehicles and related technologies. The MFC segment provides air and missile defense systems; tactical missiles and precision strike weapon systems; logistics; fire control systems; engineering support and integration services. The RMS segment designs, manufactures, services and supports various military and commercial helicopters, sea and land-based missile defense systems. The 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.
Maine Voters Face Crucial Decision in Senate Race
- Election Outlook Grim: Senator Susan Collins of Maine faces a formidable challenge from Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who leads in polls, indicating that voter dissatisfaction with Trump may significantly impact the election outcome.
- Funding Impact Significant: Since 2021, Collins has secured nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding for Maine, with approximately $429 million appropriated in the 2026 fiscal year alone, which helps maintain her support among constituents.
- Political Power Play: As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins wields considerable influence to bring vital federal funds to Maine, while Platner, if elected, would require years to build the necessary seniority and influence.
- Trump's Far-Reaching Influence: Collins' election is heavily influenced by Trump's policies, as she has often voted against him, placing her in a difficult position where voters must weigh her seniority against their aversion to Trump.
See More
Qatar Requests $4 Billion Patriot Missile Purchase Amid Regional Tensions
- Surge in Defense Needs: Qatar's request to purchase $4 billion worth of Patriot missiles highlights the urgency and enhancement of its defense capabilities in response to regional security threats stemming from the Iran war.
- Missile Procurement Details: The order includes 200 PAC-2 missiles and 300 PAC-3 missiles, with PAC-2s designed to destroy targets using shrapnel and PAC-3s functioning as hit-to-kill weapons, indicating Qatar's diversified investment in defense capabilities.
- U.S. Support for Sale: The U.S. State Department has expressed support for this transaction to Congress, citing an “emergency” that necessitates the immediate sale of these defense articles, reflecting the U.S.'s strategic interests and commitment to supporting its allies in the Middle East.
- Rising Profit Expectations: This deal is expected to benefit major contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX, with both companies likely to see increased profit margins due to the average missile price of approximately $8 million, further solidifying their positions in the defense market.
See More
SpaceX Shareholders Approve 5-for-1 Stock Split Ahead of IPO
- Shareholder Vote Outcome: A majority of SpaceX shareholders have approved the board's recommendation for a 5-for-1 stock split, adjusting the current fair market value per share to approximately $105.32, down from $526.59 pre-split, reflecting changes in shareholder confidence and market expectations ahead of the IPO.
- Successful Launch Mission: SpaceX successfully launched its Cargo Dragon spacecraft on the CRS-34 commercial resupply mission, delivering roughly 6,500 pounds of science experiments and crew supplies to the International Space Station, showcasing its strong operational capabilities and technological prowess in aerospace manufacturing.
- New Rocket Model Preparation: The company is preparing for the debut of its Starship Version 3, targeted for a test flight on May 19, which stands 5 feet taller than its predecessors and features integrated Raptor 3 engines, boosting total liftoff thrust to over 18 million pounds to achieve rapid reuse objectives.
- Market Reaction and Strategic Significance: The stock split and upcoming rocket launch plans indicate SpaceX's proactive positioning ahead of its IPO, aiming to enhance investor confidence and market competitiveness while laying the groundwork for future space missions.
See More
Lockheed Martin Secures $991M F-35 Modernization Order
- Significant Order Value: Lockheed Martin's $991.13 million order focuses on F-35 modernization and retrofit support, covering 432 material modification kits, indicating strong demand and market position in the defense sector.
- Electronic Warfare Upgrades: The order specifically targets upgrades to electronic warfare systems and capability enhancements, highlighting the importance of the F-35 program in improving combat effectiveness, which may further solidify Lockheed Martin's market leadership.
- Diverse Funding Sources: The funding for this order comes from multiple sources, including $82.15 million from the Air Force and $115.05 million from the Navy for FY26, showcasing the diversity of defense budgets and confidence in Lockheed Martin.
- Long-Term Execution Plan: The project is expected to be executed in Fort Worth, Texas, with completion slated for March 2032, reflecting the company's strategic positioning and ongoing investment capabilities in long-term defense projects.
See More
D-Wave Quantum Stock Soars 4,550% Amid Growth Prospects
- Stock Price Surge: D-Wave Quantum's stock skyrocketed from an all-time low of $0.41 three years ago to approximately $20 today, representing a staggering 4,550% increase, which would have turned a $10,000 investment into over $465,000, reflecting strong market confidence in its future potential.
- Quantum Computing Services: D-Wave focuses on quantum annealing services, and while most of its clients are still engaged in low-revenue pilot programs, its Leap cloud platform has attracted over 100 notable companies, including Deloitte and Volkswagen, indicating the technology's applicability in mainstream enterprises.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: By 2025, D-Wave's revenue is projected to surge by 179%, primarily driven by sales of its new Advantage2 quantum systems, which can solve specific problems 25,000 times faster than the first generation while consuming less power, showcasing the commercial value of its technological advancements.
- Future Outlook: Despite D-Wave's market cap of $8.2 billion and the expectation that adjusted EBITDA will remain negative in the foreseeable future, analysts anticipate its revenue will grow at an 80% CAGR, reaching $142.4 million by 2028, indicating significant long-term growth potential in the quantum computing sector.
See More
Trump Makes Significant Investments in Palantir Stock
- Significant Investment: Trump purchased between $247,008 and $630,000 worth of Palantir stock in Q1 2026, indicating strong confidence in the company's potential, particularly in the AI sector.
- Frequent Transactions: In March alone, Trump executed at least seven trades totaling up to $530,000 in Palantir shares, suggesting an active strategy to capitalize on short-term price fluctuations amid market volatility.
- Market Reaction: Trump's praise for Palantir coincided with the stock's worst week in over a year, reflecting investor concerns about its future prospects; his endorsement may help bolster investor confidence in the company.
- Diversified Investments: In addition to Palantir, Trump also invested in Nvidia, ServiceNow, and other tech firms during the same period, demonstrating a broad interest in AI and software, potentially aiming to mitigate risks and seize growth opportunities across the sector.
See More
Maine Voters Face Crucial Decision in Senate Race
- Election Outlook Grim: Senator Susan Collins of Maine faces a formidable challenge from Democratic candidate Graham Platner, who leads in polls, indicating that voter dissatisfaction with Trump may significantly impact the election outcome.
- Funding Impact Significant: Since 2021, Collins has secured nearly $1.5 billion in federal funding for Maine, with approximately $429 million appropriated in the 2026 fiscal year alone, which helps maintain her support among constituents.
- Political Power Play: As chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Collins wields considerable influence to bring vital federal funds to Maine, while Platner, if elected, would require years to build the necessary seniority and influence.
- Trump's Far-Reaching Influence: Collins' election is heavily influenced by Trump's policies, as she has often voted against him, placing her in a difficult position where voters must weigh her seniority against their aversion to Trump.
See More
Qatar Requests $4 Billion Patriot Missile Purchase Amid Regional Tensions
- Surge in Defense Needs: Qatar's request to purchase $4 billion worth of Patriot missiles highlights the urgency and enhancement of its defense capabilities in response to regional security threats stemming from the Iran war.
- Missile Procurement Details: The order includes 200 PAC-2 missiles and 300 PAC-3 missiles, with PAC-2s designed to destroy targets using shrapnel and PAC-3s functioning as hit-to-kill weapons, indicating Qatar's diversified investment in defense capabilities.
- U.S. Support for Sale: The U.S. State Department has expressed support for this transaction to Congress, citing an “emergency” that necessitates the immediate sale of these defense articles, reflecting the U.S.'s strategic interests and commitment to supporting its allies in the Middle East.
- Rising Profit Expectations: This deal is expected to benefit major contractors like Lockheed Martin and RTX, with both companies likely to see increased profit margins due to the average missile price of approximately $8 million, further solidifying their positions in the defense market.
See More
SpaceX Shareholders Approve 5-for-1 Stock Split Ahead of IPO
- Shareholder Vote Outcome: A majority of SpaceX shareholders have approved the board's recommendation for a 5-for-1 stock split, adjusting the current fair market value per share to approximately $105.32, down from $526.59 pre-split, reflecting changes in shareholder confidence and market expectations ahead of the IPO.
- Successful Launch Mission: SpaceX successfully launched its Cargo Dragon spacecraft on the CRS-34 commercial resupply mission, delivering roughly 6,500 pounds of science experiments and crew supplies to the International Space Station, showcasing its strong operational capabilities and technological prowess in aerospace manufacturing.
- New Rocket Model Preparation: The company is preparing for the debut of its Starship Version 3, targeted for a test flight on May 19, which stands 5 feet taller than its predecessors and features integrated Raptor 3 engines, boosting total liftoff thrust to over 18 million pounds to achieve rapid reuse objectives.
- Market Reaction and Strategic Significance: The stock split and upcoming rocket launch plans indicate SpaceX's proactive positioning ahead of its IPO, aiming to enhance investor confidence and market competitiveness while laying the groundwork for future space missions.
See More
Lockheed Martin Secures $991M F-35 Modernization Order
- Significant Order Value: Lockheed Martin's $991.13 million order focuses on F-35 modernization and retrofit support, covering 432 material modification kits, indicating strong demand and market position in the defense sector.
- Electronic Warfare Upgrades: The order specifically targets upgrades to electronic warfare systems and capability enhancements, highlighting the importance of the F-35 program in improving combat effectiveness, which may further solidify Lockheed Martin's market leadership.
- Diverse Funding Sources: The funding for this order comes from multiple sources, including $82.15 million from the Air Force and $115.05 million from the Navy for FY26, showcasing the diversity of defense budgets and confidence in Lockheed Martin.
- Long-Term Execution Plan: The project is expected to be executed in Fort Worth, Texas, with completion slated for March 2032, reflecting the company's strategic positioning and ongoing investment capabilities in long-term defense projects.
See More
D-Wave Quantum Stock Soars 4,550% Amid Growth Prospects
- Stock Price Surge: D-Wave Quantum's stock skyrocketed from an all-time low of $0.41 three years ago to approximately $20 today, representing a staggering 4,550% increase, which would have turned a $10,000 investment into over $465,000, reflecting strong market confidence in its future potential.
- Quantum Computing Services: D-Wave focuses on quantum annealing services, and while most of its clients are still engaged in low-revenue pilot programs, its Leap cloud platform has attracted over 100 notable companies, including Deloitte and Volkswagen, indicating the technology's applicability in mainstream enterprises.
- Revenue Growth Expectations: By 2025, D-Wave's revenue is projected to surge by 179%, primarily driven by sales of its new Advantage2 quantum systems, which can solve specific problems 25,000 times faster than the first generation while consuming less power, showcasing the commercial value of its technological advancements.
- Future Outlook: Despite D-Wave's market cap of $8.2 billion and the expectation that adjusted EBITDA will remain negative in the foreseeable future, analysts anticipate its revenue will grow at an 80% CAGR, reaching $142.4 million by 2028, indicating significant long-term growth potential in the quantum computing sector.
See More
Trump Makes Significant Investments in Palantir Stock
- Significant Investment: Trump purchased between $247,008 and $630,000 worth of Palantir stock in Q1 2026, indicating strong confidence in the company's potential, particularly in the AI sector.
- Frequent Transactions: In March alone, Trump executed at least seven trades totaling up to $530,000 in Palantir shares, suggesting an active strategy to capitalize on short-term price fluctuations amid market volatility.
- Market Reaction: Trump's praise for Palantir coincided with the stock's worst week in over a year, reflecting investor concerns about its future prospects; his endorsement may help bolster investor confidence in the company.
- Diversified Investments: In addition to Palantir, Trump also invested in Nvidia, ServiceNow, and other tech firms during the same period, demonstrating a broad interest in AI and software, potentially aiming to mitigate risks and seize growth opportunities across the sector.
See More
