Lunar lander manufacturer Intuitive Machines said on Tuesday it will acquire Lanteris Space Systems, formerly known as Maxar Space Systems, from private equity firm Advent International in a deal valued at $800 million. The transaction, comprising $450 million in cash and $350 million in Intuitive Machines stock, is expected to close in the first quarter of next year, pending regulatory approval. Shares of Intuitive Machines fell about 5% in premarket trading following the announcement.
The acquisition marks a major step in Intuitive Machines’ strategy to expand beyond its lunar operations and become a full-service space technology company capable of designing, building, and operating spacecraft for both government and commercial clients. “This acquisition moves Intuitive Machines beyond the Moon and into a wider range of space projects,” CEO Steve Altemus said. The combined company is projected to generate over $850 million in annual revenue and hold $920 million in future contracts as of September 30.
Lanteris Space Systems manufactures satellites and spacecraft for defense, communications, and scientific missions. The company was previously the satellite manufacturing arm of Maxar Technologies, which Advent acquired and took private in 2023 for about $4 billion. Advent will retain an undisclosed minority stake in the combined entity.
The move follows Intuitive Machines’ recent acquisitions of deep-space navigation specialist KinetX and several U.S. government contracts, as it continues to broaden its capabilities within the space industry. Separately, the company reported third-quarter revenue of $52.4 million, below analysts’ expectations of $68.1 million, and a net loss of $10 million. Its backlog stood at $235.9 million, supported by ongoing work with NASA and the U.S. Air Force.
