Latest news with #IM-3
Time of India
02-07-2025
- Science
- Time of India
Top 10 space missions to watch in 2025 and beyond: Exploring the Moon, Mars, and distant worlds
Space exploration is entering an exciting new era in 2025, with a remarkable lineup of missions poised to deepen our understanding of the Moon , Mars , and beyond. These missions, led by NASA , ISRO , ESA, JAXA , and private companies, will not only advance scientific knowledge but also pave the way for future human exploration and technological innovation. From crewed lunar orbits to robotic explorers on distant moons, here are the top 10 space missions to watch in the coming years. From lunar landers to interplanetary explorers: The most ambitious space missions ahead 1. Intuitive Machines IM-3 (PRISM) Launch Date: 2026 by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Trading CFD dengan Teknologi dan Kecepatan Lebih Baik IC Markets Mendaftar Undo Destination: Moon Objective: Deliver scientific payloads and rovers to study lunar geology and test technologies for future Artemis missions. Overview: The IM-3 mission is a critical part of NASA's Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) program, designed to help establish a sustainable human presence on the Moon. It will carry advanced instruments to analyze the lunar surface, including rovers that can traverse and study the terrain. Beyond science, IM-3 will test new landing technologies and autonomous systems that will be essential for future crewed Artemis missions. Success here will build confidence in commercial partnerships supporting lunar exploration. 2. ESCAPADE (Escape and Plasma Acceleration and Dynamics Explorers) Launch Date: December 2025 Destination: Mars Orbit Objective: Study Mars' plasma environment and magnetic fields to understand atmospheric loss. Overview: ESCAPADE consists of two small satellites, 'Blue' and 'Gold,' orbiting Mars at different altitudes to provide a detailed picture of how solar wind strips away the Martian atmosphere. This process is key to understanding why Mars lost much of its atmosphere and surface water, transforming from a potentially habitable planet to the cold desert we see today. The mission's data will improve models of planetary atmospheres and help assess Mars' past habitability. 3. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Launch Date: 2025 Destination: Earth Orbit Objective: Monitor Earth's surface changes with high precision to study natural disasters and environmental shifts. Overview: NISAR is a groundbreaking collaboration between NASA and ISRO, equipped with dual-frequency radar that can penetrate clouds and darkness to provide detailed maps of Earth's surface. It will track land deformation caused by earthquakes and volcanic activity, monitor deforestation, and measure ice sheet dynamics. This mission will provide timely data to improve disaster response and deepen understanding of climate change impacts, making it a vital tool for scientists and policymakers worldwide. 4. Artemis II Launch Date: April 2026 Destination: Lunar Orbit Objective: Conduct the first crewed mission of the Artemis program to test spacecraft systems in lunar orbit. Overview: Artemis II marks NASA's return to crewed lunar missions after decades. Four astronauts will orbit the Moon aboard the Orion spacecraft, launched by the powerful Space Launch System (SLS). This 10-day mission will test life support, navigation, and communication systems in the deep space environment, ensuring readiness for the subsequent Artemis III landing mission. Artemis II is a major step toward establishing a long-term human presence on the Moon. 5. Gaganyaan-2 Launch Date: 2025 (Test Flights) Destination: Low Earth Orbit Objective: Validate safety, life support, and avionics systems for India's first crewed spaceflight. Overview: Gaganyaan-2 is part of India's ambitious human spaceflight program. The uncrewed test flights will rigorously evaluate the spacecraft's critical systems, including environmental controls and emergency procedures. These tests are essential to ensure astronaut safety for the planned Gaganyaan-3 mission. Success will place India among the few nations capable of independently sending humans to space, marking a significant milestone in its space capabilities. 6. Dragonfly Launch Date: July 2028 Destination: Titan (Saturn's Moon) Objective: Explore Titan's organic-rich surface and study prebiotic chemistry. Overview: Dragonfly is a unique rotorcraft lander designed to fly across Titan's diverse and complex terrain. Titan's thick atmosphere and organic molecules make it one of the most intriguing places to study prebiotic chemistry and the potential for life beyond Earth. Dragonfly will analyze surface composition, weather patterns, and chemical processes, providing unprecedented insight into how life's building blocks might form in environments vastly different from Earth. 7. Martian Moons eXploration (MMX) Launch Date: September 2026 Destination: Phobos (Mars' Moon) Objective: Explore Mars' moons and return samples from Phobos to Earth. Overview: JAXA's MMX mission aims to solve the mystery of Mars' moons' origins by collecting and returning samples from Phobos. The mission will also conduct detailed observations of Deimos. Understanding whether these moons are captured asteroids or formed from Mars itself will shed light on the history of the Martian system and the early solar system. The sample return is a complex feat that will provide invaluable material for laboratory analysis on Earth. 8. Space Rider Launch Date: 2027 Destination: Low Earth Orbit Objective: Conduct reusable microgravity experiments in orbit. Overview: ESA's Space Rider is a reusable, autonomous spaceplane designed to carry payloads for scientific and technological experiments in microgravity. It will enable longer-duration studies on biological processes, materials science, and plant growth, helping researchers understand how space conditions affect various systems. Its reusability lowers costs and increases access to space for European researchers and industry. 9. SPHEREx Launch Date: April 2025 Destination: Earth Orbit Objective: Conduct an all-sky infrared survey to study galaxy evolution, cosmic inflation, and dark energy. Overview: SPHEREx will map the entire sky in infrared light, providing a treasure trove of data about the universe's structure and history. It will investigate the origins of galaxies, measure cosmic inflation's fingerprints, and explore the mysterious dark energy driving the universe's accelerated expansion. This mission promises to answer fundamental questions about the cosmos with a new level of precision. 10. VERITAS Launch Date: 2028 Destination: Venus Objective: Map Venus' surface geology to understand its tectonics and volcanic history. Overview: VERITAS will produce high-resolution maps of Venus' surface using radar to penetrate its thick clouds. By studying Venus' tectonic activity and volcanic processes, the mission seeks to explain why Venus evolved so differently from Earth despite their similar size and composition. VERITAS will also help assess Venus' potential for past habitability and provide context for comparative planetology. These missions represent the cutting edge of space exploration, combining human spaceflight, robotic explorers, and Earth observation to expand our knowledge of the solar system and our home planet. As they launch and unfold over the next decade, they will inspire new discoveries and redefine humanity's place in the cosmos.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
One of the Best Space Stocks Just Reported a Big Change, and Its Stock Popped 35% in 1 Day
Investors flocked to Intuitive Machines after the company reported a loss and a revenue decline for Q1. Management reassured investors it is on track to hit its revenue target for the year. Intuitive Machines also promised to "incorporate IM-2 lessons learned" and hopefully land its next lunar lander right side up. 10 stocks we like better than Intuitive Machines › Every so often, you're right about a stock, and it makes you nervous about how long you can keep on being right. That's kind of how I feel looking at Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ: LUNR) stock right now. Back at the start of the month, if you recall, I said Intuitive Machines stock was a buy and could pop after earnings. And after Intuitive reported earnings this week, the stock did indeed go up. In fact, it went up a lot, surging nearly 35% at one point on the day after earnings, and still up nearly 28% as I type these words. And now I'm honestly not sure this stock is still a buy. Intuitive Machines' Q1 earnings report didn't feature a lot in the way of "earnings," necessarily, and it only reported $62.5 million in revenue. According to the good folks at The Fly, however, that was less than the $66.1 million in revenue that Wall Street analysts were predicting. It was also a 15% decline from the company's $73.2 million in Q1 2024 revenue. Operating costs of $72.6 million ate up all the company's revenue and left Intuitive with a $10.1 million operating loss for Q1. On the bottom line, losses were $11.4 million, or $0.11 per share, according to data from S&P Global Market Intelligence. That's the bad news. Now, here's the good: Intuitive Machines just announced a big change in its cash situation. Intuitive Machines generated positive operating cash flow for the first time in nearly two years in Q1 -- $19.4 million, and reported quarterly positive free cash flow of $13.3 million. The company is still FCF-negative for the past 12 months, and most analysts don't expect to see the company generating FCF consistently for another few years -- but Q1 improved its TTM performance considerably, and Intuitive now has at least a chance of reporting its first full year of positive FCF in 2025. Yes, a small chance. Most analysts still see Intuitive burning cash this year, but less than $2 million. But Intuitive is due to receive "IM-2 success payments" in Q2, which could potentially push the company over the finish line. Management is forecasting between $250 million and $300 million in total revenue this year, right in line with analyst forecasts. In other "IM-" news, the company confirmed that its next moon landing, IM-3, is on track to take place in the first half of next year, "and will incorporate IM-2 lessons learned" -- which hopefully means Intuitive has figured out how to keep its landers from toppling over after landing on the moon. Intuitive is also making progress on its much bigger, much more valuable, $4.8 billion contract to build a Near Space Network for satellite communication between the Earth and moon, completing two "milestones" and receiving funding for two more. With Intuitive Machines stock up so much (again, about 28% over just the past few days), and up so quickly after earnings, I'm a bit less enthusiastic about buying more shares (I already own a few) now that the good news is out. True, the chance that Intuitive might report positive full-year free cash flow in 2025 -- a full three years earlier than Wall Street was expecting -- could be another great catalyst to lift the stock. That said, the main project I'm counting on to drive the company's success is the $4.8 billion NSN NASA contract. That one stretches over 10 years, and appears to be rolling out only slowly, with only $9 million in revenue booked in Q1, and only $18 million more coming in Q2. It's a big-dollar contract, with a long timeline. These two factors combined create a risk that a budget-constrained NASA might be forced to cancel the contract at some point in the future, dramatically limiting growth prospects for Intuitive Machines -- and potentially crashing the stock as well. While I don't think that will happen, it's a risk, and it's one investors in Intuitive Machines stock should keep in mind. The best way to limit that risk is to buy Intuitive Machines stock on a pullback, when it looks cheap again. Before you buy stock in Intuitive Machines, consider this: The Motley Fool Stock Advisor analyst team just identified what they believe are the for investors to buy now… and Intuitive Machines wasn't one of them. The 10 stocks that made the cut could produce monster returns in the coming years. Consider when Netflix made this list on December 17, 2004... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $642,582!* Or when Nvidia made this list on April 15, 2005... if you invested $1,000 at the time of our recommendation, you'd have $829,879!* Now, it's worth noting Stock Advisor's total average return is 975% — a market-crushing outperformance compared to 172% for the S&P 500. Don't miss out on the latest top 10 list, available when you join . See the 10 stocks » *Stock Advisor returns as of May 12, 2025 Rich Smith has positions in Intuitive Machines. The Motley Fool has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. One of the Best Space Stocks Just Reported a Big Change, and Its Stock Popped 35% in 1 Day was originally published by The Motley Fool Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
13-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Intuitive Machines rockets 35% after lunar landmark
Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR) surges 35% to a two-month high after reporting $13.3 million in free cash flow and completing the southernmost lunar landing in history. The company posted Q1 revenue of $62.5 million, missing the $66.1 million Wall Street consensus, but gross margin climbed to 11%, marking a third straight quarter of positive margins as Commercial Lunar Payload Services, Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services and Near Space Network Services all saw growth and a shift toward higher-margin service offerings. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 4 Warning Signs with LUNR. CEO Steve Altemus said, We believe Intuitive Machines brings proven performance and speed to market, pointing to successful Jet Propulsion Laboratory rover tests ahead of the IM-3 mission. Intuitive Machines generated $19.4 million in operating cash and milestone payments and ended the quarter with $373.3 million in cash following a warrant redemption. The company reaffirmed its 2025 revenue forecast of $250 million to $300 million and expects to reach positive adjusted EBITDA on a run-rate basis by year-end, setting the stage for full-year profitability in 2026. Compared to many space infrastructure peers still burning cash, Intuitive Machines's clear path to profitability stands out. Management is also diversifying beyond lunar missions into national security and microgravity applications. As the sole contractor on the Air Force Research Laboratory's JETSON nuclear propulsion program and recipient of a $10 million Texas Space Commission grant, the firm is advancing in-space nuclear capabilities and reentry research. Investors should note that strong cash flow, margin expansion and high-profile government contracts could drive sustainable growth despite the top-line miss. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Yahoo
10-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
SpaceX to launch new Intuitive Machines moon lander, lunar satellites in 2027
When you buy through links on our articles, Future and its syndication partners may earn a commission. Intuitive Machines may have crashed its latest moon lander on the lunar surface, but that's not keeping the company down for long. The Houston-based company has picked SpaceX to launch IM-4, its fourth moon lander, on a Falcon 9 rocket in 2027 alongside two relay satellites for a NASA lunar communications network. The news comes just weeks after the company's IM-2 moon lander crashed near the moon's south pole, and as the firm continues work on its third moon lander (yes, it's called IM-3), which is expected to launch in 2026. 'Lunar surface delivery and data relay satellites are central to our strategy to commercialize the Moon," Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus said in a statement Tuesday (April 8). "We plan to deploy the first of five lunar data relay satellites on our third mission, which will introduce our pay-by-the-minute service. The two additional satellites on our fourth mission are intended to scale that service, followed by two additional deployments to complete the constellation and fully support NASA and commercial lunar operations." The relay satellites will support NASA's Near Space Network Services contract, Intuitive Machines wrote. Intuitive Machines' IM-4 moon lander will carry six NASA payloads under a contract with the agency's Commercial Lunar Payload Services program. A new drill experiment built by the European Space Agency to hunt for water near the moon's south pole, will be aboard. Intuitive Machines' first moon lander, called IM-1 Odysseus, tipped over after breaking a landing leg while attempting to land in 2024. The second lander, the IM-2 Athena, fell on its side during a lunar south pole landing attempt on March 6. The IM-3 moon lander is under construction now.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Intuitive Machines (LUNR) Stock Jumps as Revenue Climbs 79% in Q4
Intuitive Machines (LUNR, Financial) shares surged more than 20% on Monday morning after the space technology firm reported a 79% rise in fourth-quarter revenue, driven by increased contract activity. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 5 Warning Signs with LUNR. The company secured additional agreements for its direct-to-earth services, which facilitate communication and navigation for spacecraft, including lunar landers and orbiters. These services are integral to NASA's Artemis program and broader lunar exploration efforts. The latest contracts position Intuitive Machines to tap into a potential $4.8 billion market. Shares of the Houston-based firm have dropped 61% this year, largely due to complications with its second moon landing. Earlier in March, the Athena lander tipped onto its side following a laser rangefinder issue, mirroring a similar problem from its first lunar mission. Although the setback occurred, the company clearly stated that its main revenue comes from space contracts rather than launch missions. Revenue rose to $54.6 million during the fourth quarter of 2019 compared to $30.7 million in the past year. Intuitive Machines has maintained the official launch schedule for its third lunar mission, IM-3, which will take place during the upcoming year. The company remains focused on expanding its space services and advancing its upcoming missions. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio
