Intuitive Machines wins two-satellite order with electric propulsion option

(SpaceEnergy) Intuitive Machines has won an order for two IM 300 spacecraft platforms whose modular architecture can support electric or chemical propulsion and higher-power payloads.

The Houston-based space infrastructure company said on 1 September that the undisclosed customer represents a new market segment for its IM 300 platform.

Intuitive Machines said the spacecraft's modular design allowed it to scale the platform to accommodate a heavier, higher-power payload class. The company describes the IM 300 as a low-mass spacecraft bus designed for proliferated constellations and multiple mission profiles.

Customers can configure the platform with either chemical or electric propulsion depending on orbital, manoeuvring and mission-duration requirements. The spacecraft also supports optical and radio-frequency inter-satellite links.

The company said the IM 300 is manufactured at its high-volume satellite production facility in Palo Alto, California, which was designed for serial spacecraft production.

Intuitive Machines did not disclose the customer, contract value, delivery schedule or propulsion configuration selected for the two spacecraft.