In a groundbreaking move for the space exploration industry, Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lander “Odysseus” has been successfully deployed from SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket to begin the IM-1 mission. The company issued an update confirming that the mission is in excellent health and on track, despite a slight delay in the first attempt to ignite the lander’s engine.
Following this update, Intuitive Machines’ stock saw a significant increase, jumping 9% to $7.32 a share. This comes after a remarkable 35% surge on Thursday following the successful launch of IM-1. The stock has now gained 47% since the launch, although it still trades below its post-SPAC merger debut pricing from a year ago.
CEO of ProcureAM highlighted that volatility related to a space company like Intuitive Machines is to be expected, especially for a small and yet-unprofitable company. The IM-1 lander is carrying government and commercial research payloads and is expected to land on the moon on Feb. 22 after about eight days of travel.
The growing interest and investment in lunar exploration has been evident, with the success of companies like Intuitive Machines potentially encouraging further developments in space exploration. The industry is watching closely as the IM-1 mission progresses, anticipating the potential scientific discoveries and advancements that could result from this historic journey. Stay tuned for more updates on ‘The Puck Drop’ as this mission unfolds.
