Intuitive Machines To Establish Integrated Cislunar Operations

Mark Carreau May 27, 2026

Early morning sunlight illuminates the western wall of this unnamed crater, leaving deep shadows on the ground and in the interior. The image was taken on August 30, 2023, by LROC (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera). LROC is a system of three cameras and one of the seven instruments aboard NASA’s LRO (Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter) mission, which launched in June 2009 and continues in orbit around the Moon. Credit: NASA/Arizona State University — A Moon crater photo taken by the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Camera in 2023.

Credit: NASA/Arizona State University

HOUSTON—Intuitive Machines (IM) is now the prime operator of the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter (LRO) Camera and Shadow Cam under two recently announced contracts, with plans for sustained lunar and cislunar operations. The camera is aboard NASA’s LRO. The Shadow Cam is a specialized, NASA-provided...

Mark Carreau

Mark is based in Houston, where he has written on aerospace for more than 25 years. While at the Houston Chronicle, he was recognized by the Rotary National Award for Space Achievement Foundation in 2006 for his professional contributions to the public understanding of America's space program through news reporting.

Subscription Required

Intuitive Machines To Establish Integrated Cislunar Operations is published in Aerospace Daily & Defense Report, an Aviation Week Intelligence Network (AWIN) Market Briefing and is included with your AWIN membership.

Already a member of AWIN or subscribe to Aerospace Daily & Defense Report through your company? Login with your existing email and password.

Not a member? Learn how you can access the market intelligence and data you need to stay abreast of what's happening in the aerospace and defense community.

Learn How

Market Sector

Share

Intuitive Machines To Establish Integrated Cislunar Operations

Share

Subscription Required

Related Content