The Lanteris 1300 GEO model. Photo: Lanteris Space Systems

Intuitive Machines has completed the acquisition of Lanteris Space Systems, formerly known as Maxar Space Systems. By acquiring a spacecraft manufacturer, Intuitive Machines says this positions the company as a vertically integrated space prime and better positions the company to compete for programs like Golden Dome, Space Development Agency awards, and NASA lunar programs. 

The purchase price was $800 million before closing adjustments — $450 million in cash and $350 million in Intuitive Machines stock. The terms did not change from when the deal was announced in November. 

The company said Chris Johnson will continue as president of Lanteris Space Systems. Johnson joined the company in 2021. “If we could have chosen the best outcome for Lanteris over the past few years, this is exactly what we would have envisioned, and we’re excited for the future,” Johnson commented. 

Intuitive Machines CEO Steve Altemus said the acquisition marks a “defining moment” for the company. “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 that can build spacecraft, connect resilient communications and navigation networks, and operate systems across LEO, MEO, GEO and cislunar space,” Altemus commented. 

Lanteris builds three satellite platforms including large Geostationary Orbit (GEO) satellites, the WorldView Legion-class Lanteris 500, and Space Development Agency (SDA)-class Lanteris 300. Lanteris supports L3Harris as a bus provider for SDA contracts. 

Intuitive Machines purchased Lanteris from private equity firm Advent International, which purchased Maxar in 2023 — including the spacecraft business and imagery and sensing business — for $6.4 billion and $2.4 billion in debt. Both companies were recently rebranded and Maxar Intelligence is now Vantor.

The manufacturing business has more than 60 years of experience and has gone through a long series of names over various mergers and acquisitions from Philco in the 1950s, then Ford-Philco, Ford Aerospace and Space Systems/Loral, which was acquired by MDA in 2012 and later renamed Maxar.