Intuitive Machines said it has completed the acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems, formerly known as Maxar Space Systems, in a move aimed at transforming the company into a vertically integrated space prime serving defense, civil and commercial customers.
The transaction, first announced in November, was completed under unchanged terms, with a purchase price of $800 million before closing adjustments. Intuitive Machines paid $450 million in cash and issued $350 million in company stock as part of the deal, it said.
The acquisition adds large-scale, flight-proven spacecraft manufacturing capabilities to Intuitive Machines’ portfolio, strengthening its position for major U.S. government programs such as missile defense initiatives, Space Development Agency satellite constellations and NASA lunar exploration missions.
“This is a defining moment for Intuitive Machines,” said Chief Executive Steve Altemus. “We previously proved our ability to operate on the Moon. With Lanteris, we add flight-proven manufacturing at scale. Together, these strengths transform Intuitive Machines into a multi-domain, end-to-end solutions provider.”
Lanteris builds multiple satellite platforms, including large geostationary orbit spacecraft, the WorldView Legion-class Lanteris 500, and the Lanteris 300 platform used in Space Development Agency-class missions. The company also serves as a satellite bus provider to L3Harris Technologies on SDA programs.
Chris Johnson will continue to serve as president of Lanteris Space Systems. “If we could have chosen the best outcome for Lanteris over the past few years, this is exactly what we would have envisioned,” Johnson said, adding that the company is “excited for the future” under Intuitive Machines’ ownership.
Intuitive Machines acquired Lanteris from Advent International, which bought Maxar Technologies in 2023 in a deal that included both the spacecraft manufacturing and satellite imagery businesses. Following that transaction, the manufacturing unit was rebranded as Lanteris Space Systems, while the imagery business became Vantor.
The manufacturing operation brings more than six decades of spacecraft heritage, tracing its roots through a series of corporate evolutions including Philco, Ford Aerospace, Space Systems/Loral, MDA and Maxar. Intuitive Machines said the experience and scale of the business are central to its ambition to deliver integrated spacecraft, communications and navigation solutions spanning low Earth orbit, geostationary orbit and cislunar space.
