A $10 Billion Reason Why Intuitive Machines (LUNR) Stock Is Up Today

Intuitive Machines (LUNR) shares ripped higher on Nov. 9 after the company said it has been selected by NASA for its next-gen Commercial Lunar Payload Services 2 (CLPS 2) program. The contract vehicle carries a combined ceiling value of about $10 billion across all awardees and could expand to $15 billion if NASA exercises an optional extension.

The announcement comes as Intuitive Machines stock is scrambling to regain investor interest, currently down more than 70% versus its year-to-date high. 

NASA News Helps LUNR Stock Break Above 20-Day MA

LUNR stock rallied on Monday primarily because of the scale and strategic importance of NASA’s new CLPS 2 framework. 

Management said the contract expands beyond traditional lunar landings to include services such as orbital delivery, launch rideshares, surface mobility, precision landing, lunar-night operations, payload development, and other space infrastructure capabilities.

Today’s rally also helped Intuitive Machines break above its 20-day moving average (MA), a key technical development that often suggests bulls have taken back control of the near term. 

NASA Contract to Drive Intuitive Machines Shares Higher

Investors should note that the $10 billion headline figure represents the total ceiling value for all selected companies, not a guaranteed award to Intuitive Machines. Still, the selection is bullish since inclusion in the program gives the company access to compete for future task orders over 10 years, with the potential for an additional five-year extension. 

The latest win also reinforces NASA’s confidence in the Nasdaq-listed firm. Intuitive Machines noted that it has already secured six CLPS task-order awards, including a $180 million Nova-D lunar lander contract in March and another award worth up to $148 million for a production-line-qualified Nova-C lander in June. 

The firm ended its latest reported quarter with about $1.8 billion backlog, providing visibility into future revenue growth and making Intuitive Machines shares even more attractive to own heading into 2027. 

Wall Street Remains Bullish on Intuitive Machines

Wall Street analysts also remain convinced that LUNR shares will stage a meaningful comeback in 2027. 

The consensus rating on Intuitive Machines remains at “Strong Buy,” with the mean price objective of about $27 indicating potential upside of nearly 150% from here. 

On the date of publication, Wajeeh Khan did not directly have a position in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here.