Key Takeaways
- Q4 revenue reached $44.8 million, falling short of the $53.7 million Wall Street consensus
- The company recorded a $33.1 million operating loss, significantly higher than the anticipated $12 million deficit
- Shares declined by as much as 8.3% during Thursday’s morning session
- Forward guidance for 2026 projects $900 million to $1 billion in revenue, surpassing the $880 million analyst forecast
- Contract backlog totaled over $943 million at the end of February
Intuitive Machines had been experiencing strong momentum leading up to Thursday’s trading session. Shares had climbed 12% since the start of the year and surged 149% over the trailing twelve months. However, the fourth-quarter results changed that trajectory.
Intuitive Machines, Inc., LUNR
The space exploration firm headquartered in Houston disclosed fourth-quarter revenue totaling $44.8 million alongside an operating deficit of $33.1 million. Analysts had projected revenue of $53.7 million with a more modest loss of $12 million. The substantial variance triggered a sharp selloff, sending LUNR shares down as much as 8.3% during morning trading hours.
🚨 $LUNR (Intuitive Machines) Q4’25 & FY25 EARNINGS HIGHLIGHTS
📊 Q4 2025
🟢 Revenue: $44.8M
🟢 Gross Margin: 19%🔻 Free Cash Flow: -$56M (cash burn)
📊 FULL-YEAR 2025 / POSITIONING🟢 Backlog: ~$943M (strong visibility)
🚀 STRATEGIC MOVES
🟢 Lanteris Acquisition: $800M… pic.twitter.com/8icQvJPy9O
— Emmanuel – Big Tech & AI Investor (@EmmanuelInvest) March 19, 2026
The revenue shortfall stemmed primarily from its core business segments — the Commercial Lunar Payload Services program, Omnibus Multidiscipline Engineering Services III, and Near Space Network Services initiatives. Quarterly revenue also showed a decline compared to the corresponding period in the previous year.
On a brighter note, Intuitive Machines achieved a 19% gross profit margin during the fourth quarter, demonstrating steady operational enhancement throughout 2025. The company also narrowed its free cash flow deficit by $11.7 million year-over-year, finishing the full year with total cash usage of $56 million.
Forward Outlook Exceeds Wall Street Projections
Notwithstanding the quarterly disappointment, company leadership provided 2026 revenue guidance that topped analyst projections. Management anticipates revenue ranging from $900 million to $1 billion, with a midpoint target of $950 million — comfortably above the Street’s $880 million estimate. Additionally, full-year adjusted EBITDA is forecast to turn positive.
Chief Executive Officer Steve Altemus characterized 2025 as “a transformational year” for the organization, highlighting the successful completion of its second lunar landing mission, expansion into defense and national security space programs, and two significant strategic acquisitions: KinetX Aerospace and Lanteris Space Systems.
The Lanteris acquisition, carrying an $800 million valuation, was finalized during the first quarter of 2026. This transaction establishes Intuitive Machines as a comprehensive, vertically integrated space contractor serving commercial, civil, and national security customers.
The organization also obtained a $175 million strategic capital infusion in the first quarter of 2026 to advance its satellite communications capabilities and in-space data processing infrastructure.
By the close of February, the combined backlog of contracted work reached approximately $943 million. Notable contract awards include work supporting the Space Development Agency’s Proliferated Warfighter Space Architecture initiative and a Missile Defense Agency agreement with a maximum value of $151 billion.
Lunar Landing Track Record and Future Plans
Intuitive Machines achieved a significant milestone in February 2024 when its Odysseus spacecraft became the first commercial vehicle to execute a controlled soft landing on the lunar surface. The company’s second lander mission, designated Athena, touched down successfully in early 2025.
A third moon landing mission is scheduled for 2026, with funding provided predominantly by NASA.
The company maintains ongoing collaborations with NASA and the Department of Defense on space-based communications infrastructure. Current Wall Street consensus forecasts place 2026 EBITDA at approximately $39 million.
