Houston, TX\u2014Intuitive Machines, a leading space technology and infrastructure services company, today announced it\u00a0has submitted\u00a0its proposal for the next phase of NASA\u2019s Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services (LTVS) contract, to build, fly, and operate\u00a0the Intuitive Machines-led Moon RACER vehicle on the Moon. NASA is expected to announce the LTV delivery and demonstration award by the end of 2025. \u00a0<\/p>\n
\nKey Technical Achievements Since April 2024\u00a0<\/p>\n
Intuitive Machines\u2019 Moon RACER team proposal builds on more than a year of integrated design, engineering, and testing following the Company\u2019s $30 million award<\/a>\u00a0in April 2024 to conduct an LTV feasibility assessment.\u00a0 Since winning NASA\u2019s LTV feasibility assessment in April 2024, Intuitive Machines and its Moon RACER team have:\u00a0 Designed the initial\u00a0static terrestrial mock-up<\/a>\u00a0with input from Apollo-era moonwalkers Charlie Duke and Harrison Schmitt\u00a0in September 2024.\u00a0<\/p>\n Unveiled\u00a0the terrestrial drivable mock-up at Space Center Houston in November 2024 and completed field testing for mobility and robotics<\/a>\u00a0in October 2025.\u00a0<\/p>\n Improved Human-in-the-Loop Testing: Conducted Crew Assessment Testing and Safety (CATS) at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center<\/a>\u00a0in late 2024, with Artemis astronauts evaluating the terrestrial LTV mock-up. Their feedback drove targeted modifications\u2014such as improved ingress\/egress, incapacitated crew rescue capability, and refined science stowage\u2014which were validated in follow-on CATS sessions<\/a>.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Integrated Autonomous Navigation: Integration of a scanning LiDAR system with autonomy software<\/a>, enabling Moon RACER to safely navigate uncrewed across complex terrain. Demonstrated at NASA\u2019s Johnson Space Center rock yard in April 2025.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Activated High-Fidelity Simulation: Activation of a six-degrees-of-freedom driver-in-the-loop simulator<\/a>, replicating 1\/6th\u00a0gravity conditions and terrain from lunar reconnaissance imagery. The simulator accelerates design validation, de-risks physical builds, and serves as an astronaut training tool.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n
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