Closing Bell Manifest Space: Intuitive Machines CEO on $800 Million Deal and Building a Lunar Communications Network 11/7/25
Nov 7, 2025
Steve Altimus, co-founder and CEO of Intuitive Machines, shares insights into his company's ambitious plans for lunar landings and a deep-space communications network. He discusses the recent $800 million acquisition of Lanteris, which boosts their capabilities. Altimus envisions a 'Verizon from the Moon' model to operate satellite constellations. With upcoming NASA contracts in the mix and challenges of the government shutdown, he highlights the strategic moves necessary for success in the rapidly evolving space economy.
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Layered Space Networks Enable Scale
- Intuitive Machines plans layered communications networks from LEO to Mars to enable broad space operations.
- Owning that network unlocks near-limitless commercial and national security opportunities, according to Steve Altimus.
Hardware Reliability Meets Network Ambitions
- Lanteris brings scalable satellite production and a 99.99% on-orbit uptime track record to Intuitive Machines.
- That capability will be used to build data-relay and navigation satellites around the moon for the Near Space Network.
In-House Satellites Ready Before Lanteris Integration
- Intuitive Machines moved lunar satellite manufacturing in-house and will launch three in 2026–2027.
- Satellites four and five will likely leverage Lanteris for larger, specialty-payload-capable buses.