Astrolab and Lunar Outpost secure NASA contracts worth $219 million and $220 million, respectively, sidelining Intuitive Machines.
NASA awarded $439 million in firm-fixed-price contracts to build lunar rovers, splitting the work between Astrolab and Lunar Outpost. The decision follows Intuitive Machines’ recent loss of the Lunar Terrain Vehicle contract, triggering a 33% share sell-off last week.
Astrolab received $219 million to develop its CLV-1 rover, capable of carrying two astronauts and 1.6 metric tons of supplies at 6 mph. Lunar Outpost secured $220 million for its Pegasus rover, which offers manual, remote, and autonomous driving modes at speeds up to 9 mph. Both rovers are based on existing designs.
The contracts mark a shift in NASA’s lunar exploration strategy, favoring newer entrants over established players like Intuitive Machines, which made history as the first private company to land on the moon since Apollo.