Intuitive Machines, one of the leading space exploration, infrastructure, and services companies, has qualified the VR900 engine for its IM-2 lunar mission, which also advances the development of the Company’s VR3500 engine for larger cargo class landers.

Designed, 3D-printed, and tested in-house, the IM-2 VR900 engine completed a full-duration hot-fire test that confirmed increased engine performance utilizing efficient design modifications. Intuitive Machines engineers are applying the design modifications and quality processes to its larger engine system while completing the IM-2 mission lander’s final assembly.

The scalable VR900 engine uses an environmentally friendly mix of liquid oxygen and methane (“LOx/LCH4”) to support science and discovery payload deliveries to the Moon. Intuitive Machines first validated the proprietary propulsion system through the first-ever deep space ignition, followed by multiple restarts, repeatedly providing successful spacecraft maneuvers on the IM-1 mission in February 2024.

“From the outset, our goal was to pioneer the industry’s first deep space scalable LOx/LCH4 engine to meet the immediate demand for science and discover-class lunar missions,” said Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus. “This validated engine design meets current mission demand and paves the way for our VR3500 engine for cargo delivery such as lunar terrain vehicles, human spaceflight cargo resupply, and other infrastructure delivery. We believe we’re in a prime position to build on our successful development and apply that technology toward current contracts and future lunar requirements for infrastructure delivery.”

Intuitive Machines is completing a $30 million Lunar Terrain Vehicle Services Feasibility Assessment as the prime contractor. The contract tasks the Company’s global team with creating a feasibility roadmap to develop, deploy, and operate a Lunar Terrain Vehicle on the Moon using the Company’s cargo-class lunar landers. The $1+ billion contract down select is expected in mid-2025.

In 2020, Intuitive Machines successfully test-fired its VR3500 cargo class lander engine, breaking the continuous test duration record of NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center’s Test Stand 115. Intuitive Machines previously held the record with a 360-second test firing of the same engine. The VR3500 development and testing were performed on contract for a human landing system architecture studies and technology prototypes contract.

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