Intuitive Machines (LUNR) Lands L3Harris Deal, But Is The Valuation Case Still Compelling?

Intuitive Machines

Intuitive Machines

LUNR

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Intuitive Machines (LUNR) drew fresh attention after L3Harris Technologies selected the company to supply 18 spacecraft platforms for the Space Development Agency’s Accelerated Missile Defense Tranche 3 mission, spotlighting its IM 300 platform.

The L3Harris announcement arrives after a volatile stretch for Intuitive Machines, with the stock up 6.72% on a 1 day share price return and 21.88% over 7 days, yet still down 48.46% on a 90 day share price return. The 1 year total shareholder return stands at 48.56%, suggesting short term momentum has picked up even as recent months reflected a sharp reset in expectations.

If this defense contract has you thinking more broadly about space and satellite exposure, it may be worth checking a curated set of 56 AI infrastructure stocks as another way to research companies tied into similar long term technology themes.

After a sharp rebound but a tough 3 month stretch, Intuitive Machines now sits at the center of both lunar and defense stories. Does that mix of contract momentum and volatility still skew the risk reward toward buyers at this price?

Most Popular Narrative: 35.1% Undervalued

At a last close of $14.93, Intuitive Machines screens below the $23.00 fair value set out in the most followed narrative, which frames the stock as meaningfully discounted relative to its long term lunar infrastructure ambitions.

Intuitive Machines (LUNR) has successfully shifted from a high-risk startup to a Lunar Infrastructure Prime, backed by a $943M backlog and a strategic pivot toward high-margin data services via the Lanteris acquisition. While the trajectory toward positive Adjusted EBITDA in 2026 is clear, the current stock price reflects a "perfection premium" that overlooks recent share dilution.

Curious how a growing backlog, a larger share count, and a shift toward recurring lunar data services still translate into an undervalued tag at $23.00 fair value? The narrative joins those pieces into a single model that leans heavily on future revenue expansion and a turn toward profitability, rather than today’s losses or recent volatility.

Result: Fair Value of $23.00 (UNDERVALUED)

However, Intuitive Machines still faces execution risk around its lunar data pivot, and any stumble on revenue or margins could quickly challenge that undervalued $23.00 fair value story.

Another View on Intuitive Machines: Pricing Risk Through Sales Multiples

While the popular Intuitive Machines narrative leans on a $23.00 fair value linked to future lunar data revenue, the preferred sales multiple tells a more cautious story. LUNR trades on a P/S of 7.2x, compared with 4.7x for the US Aerospace & Defense industry, 3.9x for peers, and a fair ratio of 2.7x that our model suggests the market could move toward.

That gap means investors are paying a much higher price for each dollar of current sales, so anyone buying at today’s level is relying heavily on the growth forecasts staying intact. The question is whether that premium sits comfortably with your own tolerance for valuation risk or feels stretched against the alternatives.

NasdaqGM:LUNR P/S Ratio as at Aug 2026
NasdaqGM:LUNR P/S Ratio as at Aug 2026

Next Steps

If this mix of enthusiasm and caution around Intuitive Machines leaves you undecided, do not wait too long to inspect the underlying numbers and context yourself. A useful starting point is to weigh the company specific 2 key rewards and 3 important warning signs.

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This article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned.