Shares of Intuitive Machines (LUNR) blasted off more than 50% Wednesday, a day after the space travel support firm received a contract worth𒅌 up to $ꦆ4.82 billion from the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA). 

The company announced the agreement will have Intuitive Machines provide "communication and navigation services for missions in the near space region, which extends from Earth's surface to beyond the Moon."  The deal includes the deployment of lunar relay satellites for NASA's planned Artemis moon exploration program, which the company believes "is a strategic element in its vision to commercialize lunar activities."

Intuitive Machines explained that the agreement is for five years w𒉰ith an option for an additional five years.

Intuitive Machines CEO Calls Deal 'Inflection Point'

澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Steve Altemus called the contract "an inflection point in Intuitive Machines' leadership in space communications and navig♊ation," and that the company is pleased to support "endeavors to expand the lunar economy."

Intuitive Machines shares surged 51% to $8.16 in early afternoon trading Wednesday and have skyrocketed more than 200% this year. They reached a peak of $13.25 on Feb. 21, soon after the company reported its IM-1 mission Nova-C class lunar lander had successfully launched on SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket.

UPDATE—This story💜♕ has been updated with the latest share price information.