Intuitive Machines (LUNR)
If you want to know about key players when it comes to space exploration with incredible infrastructure and services, you should know about Intuitive Machines (NASDAQ:LUNR).
Financially, the company is very well positioned, recently reporting a contract backlog of an impressive $135.2 million, albeit leaving out a major contract with NASA called OMES III for a whopping $719 million. For the third quarter, its revenue increased to $12.7 million, driven by three contracts with NASA for lunar access services.
Intuitive Machines stands out because it has outstanding award decisions of over $3 billion for services such as Near Space Network, Lunar Terrain Vehicle and Commercial Lunar Payload Services.
On top of that, in a recent move, the company participated in an option exercise agreement, generating approximately $11.8 million in gross proceeds.
Of course, its financial numbers are not the only amazing thing about this company, it is also forging strategic alliances. One of the many important alliances is with Boryung Corporation, a leading South Korean healthcare investment firm.
The purpose of this alliance is to explore the critical infrastructure around the moon, contributing to a long-term life sciences campaign for space research. Making life on the moon? Who knows, maybe soon.
Rocket Lab USA (RKLB)
The great space industry pioneer, of course, can’t fail to capture the attention of investors. When we talk about the industry pioneer, I’m referring to Rocket Lab USA (NASDAQ:RKLB), a major innovator in space launch services and satellite technology.
During the third quarter, its large Electron rocket, designed to be the world’s first reusable small orbital rocket, showed its prowess with two successful missions. These missions, mainly marked by the deployment of satellites for NASA and other customers, proved Rocket Lab’s commitment to reusability through ocean landings and recovery efforts.
But its successes don’t stop there. The company received the green light from the Federal Aviation Administration to resume Electron launches, showing resilience despite the challenges it has faced. On top of that, the company’s growth has a very good horizon, with two years of launches fully booked.
Speaking of numbers, RKLB was able to secure a $515 million contract with the Space Development Agency to design and build 18 Tranche 2 data Transport Satellites. That undoubtedly positions Rocket Lab as a leading satellite prime contractor, making a strong commitment to serving the U.S. defense and intelligence community.
Howmet Aerospace (HWM)
Last but not least, we have another key player in the aerospace industry, Howmet Aerospace (NYSE:HWM), which specializes in the production and supply of titanium products for various aerospace components.
During the third quarter, the company posted excellent results with wonderful growth. It had a 16% year-over-year increase in revenue to $1.66 billion.
HWM’s net income soared to $188 million, compared to $80 million in the same quarter of 2022. Now, that was a lot of growth. Howmet’s solid position was more than demonstrated with an operating income margin of 18.5%.
But it wasn’t all good for the company, as it faced a lawsuit from Lockheed Martin (NYSE:LMT) regarding the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter Program. But Howmet didn’t sit idly by, as the company highlighted its long-standing role as a proud Lockheed Martin supplier, providing essential titanium products for decades.
Moreover, despite the disruption in the global supply of titanium sponge due to major geopolitical events, which led to higher prices, Howmet managed to maintain a healthy cash balance of $425 million at the end of the quarter.
In addition, the board of directors declared a dividend of 93.75 cents per share on the $3.75 outstanding cumulative preferred stock, demonstrating a clear commitment to shareholder return.
As of this writing, Gabriel Osorio-Mazzilli did not hold (either directly or indirectly) any positions in the securities mentioned in this article. The opinions expressed in this article are those of the writer, subject to the InvestorPlace.com Publishing Guidelines.
Gabriel Osorio is a former Goldman Sachs and Citigroup employee. He possesses discipline in bottom-up value investing and volatility-based long/short equities trading.