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Texas Space Commission Selects Intuitive Machines to Advance Earth Reentry and Microgravity Biomanufacturing Spacecraft
Globenewswireยท 2025-04-29 12:30
Core Insights - The Texas Space Commission has awarded Intuitive Machines a grant of up to $10 million to support the development of an Earth reentry vehicle and an orbital fabrication lab for microgravity biomanufacturing [1][2] - The funding aims to reduce risks associated with future lunar sample return missions and is expected to create high-tech jobs and enhance Texas' position in space commercialization [2][5] Company Development - Intuitive Machines initiated the design of an Earth reentry vehicle in 2022, which is intended for missions returning from low Earth orbit, the Moon, or Mars [3] - The company has partnered with Rhodium Scientific to advance commercial microgravity biomanufacturing, which allows for the efficient production of materials and pharmaceuticals in space [3][4] Collaboration and Future Plans - The collaboration with Rhodium Scientific focuses on developing technical approaches for payload integration and safe reentry for lunar and low Earth orbit missions [5] - The 12-month SEARF phase one effort will support the advancement of this collaboration and the development of a full-scale ground prototype [5] Company Background - Intuitive Machines is a diversified space technology company that aims to disrupt lunar access economics and has successfully landed its Nova-C class lunar lander on the Moon in 2024 and again in 2025 [6]