Redwire Corporation (RDW +6.94%) stock jumped 5.3% through 11:35 a.m. ET Wednesday, one day after NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman unveiled the space agency's new $20 billion "Ignition" plan to build a base on the moon.
Redwire specializes in building space infrastructure, and a moon base, by definition, comprises a lot of infrastructure. Although Redwire wasn't specifically named in Isaacman's announcement, it's logical to presume it will play a role.
Image source: NASA.
Details, please
Isaacman outlined a three-phase effort culminating in the establishment of a semi-permanently occupied moon base by 2032. The first phase will involve exploratory landings on the moon by NASA astronauts and testing equipment to support a moon base. (Redwire will presumably build some of this equipment.)
Things may kick into higher gear in Phase 2, which will establish early infrastructure to support astronauts visiting the moon. By Phase 3, things could really be rolling, as NASA builds the structures and equipment it needs to support "habitation, surface mobility and logistics ... for a continuous human foothold on the Moon."
NYSE: RDW
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What it means for Redwire stock
It's important to note that, at this point, Redwire hasn't won any contracts under either Phase 2 or Phase 3 -- the Ignition project is only one day old, after all. Still, Redwire's integral role in building equipment for space work (just yesterday, the company won a contract to deliver low-mass solar arrays for Moog (MOGA 3.85%) (MOGB +0.00%) to use on national security satellites) makes it a logical beneficiary of NASA's push to put an American base on the moon.
Best of all, at barely 5 times sales, Redwire stock is arguably the cheapest space stock out there. If you want to invest in NASA's moon base plans, Redwire stock is a good place to start.
