Intuitive Machines (LUNR +0.85%) builds lunar landers and space infrastructure primarily for NASA. Founded in 2013, the company went public via a special purpose acquisition company (SPAC) in 2023 and quickly made headlines after its Nova-C lander became the first U.S. spacecraft to land on the moon since 1972.
The mission wasn’t flawless, the lander tipped over on touchdown, but it still delivered usable data and validated the company’s core technology. A follow-up mission in 2025 successfully reached the moon’s south pole, reinforcing Intuitive Machines’ role in NASA’s lunar exploration plans.
Here’s how to buy Intuitive Machines stock and what to consider before investing in this high-risk, early-stage space company.
How to buy Intuitive Machines
Because Intuitive Machines is publicly traded, the process of buying it is similar to purchasing shares of any other U.S.-listed stock. Here's a quick breakdown of the process:
- Open your brokerage account: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments. If you don't have one yet, take a look at our favorite brokers and trading platforms to find the right one for you.
- Fund your account: Transfer money so you’re ready to invest.
- Search for Intuitive Machines: Enter the ticker symbol "LUNR" into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
- Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
- Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
- Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
- Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.
Should you invest in Intuitive Machines?
Intuitive Machines is a speculative stock best suited for investors with a high tolerance for risk.
On the upside, the company sits at the center of renewed lunar exploration. It continues to win government contracts, grow revenue, and expand its backlog. In 2025, it also secured a potentially massive NASA data services contract and ended the period with a strong cash position, giving it flexibility to fund future missions.
On the downside, the business is still early-stage, capital-intensive, and unprofitable. Revenue depends heavily on a small number of government customers, and results can be volatile, as seen when a single landing issue triggered a sharp stock drop. Any slowdown in NASA funding or mission execution could materially impact the business.
Bottom line: Intuitive Machines could offer meaningful upside if lunar exploration spending accelerates and the company executes well. But it’s not a conservative investment. For most investors, it makes sense only as a small position within a diversified portfolio.
NASDAQ: LUNR
Key Data Points
Is Intuitive Machines profitable?
Intuitive Machines has not turned a profit according to generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in its company history. However, this is not at all unusual for its industry and at this chapter of its growth story.
However, potential investors should be aware of some positive developments on the profitability front. Nevertheless, the company is not cash flow positive at the time of this writing.
Does Intuitive Machines pay a dividend?
Intuitive Machines doesn't pay a dividend and is unlikely to pay one soon, given that it needs to become consistently profitable. Keep in mind that the company has only been in business for a little over a decade at this point.
How to invest in Intuitive Machines through ETFs
If you don't have the risk appetite to invest in whole shares of Intuitive Machines, an ETF could be a smart solution to gain some exposure to the stock alongside other intriguing companies that align with your portfolio values.
Exchange-Traded Fund (ETF)
Some top ETFs that include shares of Intuitive Machines in their portfolio compositions include:
- iShares Russell 2000 ETF (IWM +0.26%)
- iShares Russell 2000 Value ETF (IWN +0.32%)
- Procure ETF Tr II-Procure Space ETF (UFO -0.07%).
If you're looking for other funds holding shares of the company, a few mutual funds worth mentioning include:
- Fidelity Extended Market Index Fund (FSMAX +1.16%)
- Fidelity Salem Street Trust - Fidelity Small Cap Index Fund (FSSNX +1.18%).
Will Intuitive Machines stock split?
Intuitive Machines went public via a SPAC in 2023, and the company has not split its stock. Shares have never gone above $100, so a stock split seems highly unlikely in the near future.
The bottom line
Intuitive Machines is blazing an impressive trail in the space exploration and infrastructure industry. Shares have maintained their status, with a year-to-date return in the ballpark of roughly 60%. The company's lunar lander, Nova-C, was the first U.S. spacecraft to go to the moon since Apollo 17's journey in 1972.
It's already gearing up for its next mission for NASA and is steadily increasing its backlog with a lineup of lucrative contracts. While the company is not yet profitable, revenue is skyrocketing, and its gross margin is improving.
Intuitive Machines also recently paid off all its debt, so its balance sheet looks primed for a steady trajectory toward profitability in the future. This is more likely a stock for investors with a healthy risk appetite.
If the company can maintain and grow its contracts with agencies like NASA while continuing to help execute successful lunar missions, Intuitive Machines could be in the very early days of its growth story and share price potential. Investors should proceed with caution, but those with a well-diversified portfolio might consider taking a slice of the action.
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