Maryland Expansion Advances Lunar Robotics Production for Artemis Missions
State Grant Backs Fifth Facility Expansion Since 2021, Near-Doubling of Local Workforce
A $1 million state grant will fund the relocation of a lunar robotics and mechanisms operation to a new 69,000-square-foot facility in Anne Arundel County, Maryland — the fifth local expansion by Intuitive Machines since 2021.
“This collaboration shows how industry, state programs, and education can reinforce one another.”
Steve Altemus, Intuitive Machines
Maryland Governor Wes Moore announced the Build Our Future Grant on June 14, awarding funds through the Maryland Department of Commerce. The new site at BWI Tech Park in Linthicum will add laboratories, office space, and in-house assembly, integration, and test capabilities needed to deliver mission-ready hardware for upcoming NASA missions.
The Maryland operation builds robotics and mechanisms used on Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar landers, including hardware flown on the IM-1 and IM-2 missions. Current work includes the IM-3 Rover Deployment Mechanism, which lowers rovers to the lunar surface; a 360-degree pan-tilt camera for situational awareness on the Moon; and the Main Engine Gimbal, which controls lander positioning during descent and landing.
The Maryland team is also delivering hardware for Altus-1, the company’s first data relay satellite, expected to launch as a rideshare payload. Altus-1 is intended to support an integrated space-to-ground network for Artemis and sustained cislunar operations.
The expansion follows a previous 21,000-square-foot build-out at Cromwell Business Park that added capacity for spacecraft mechanisms, robotic systems, and advanced technologies. The company first established a Maryland presence in 2021 with a modest robotics and mechanisms operation.
Maryland has supported the company’s growth through multiple programs. In 2025, Intuitive Machines received a $202,150 grant through the Maryland Manufacturing 4.0 program, which helps companies adopt advanced manufacturing technologies. The company also participates in the Maryland Department of Labor’s Lighthouse AI Internship Program, placing students alongside engineers and technicians on spacecraft mechanisms and robotics projects.
“This collaboration shows how industry, state programs, and education can reinforce one another,” said Steve Altemus, CEO of Intuitive Machines. “Maryland invests in innovation, companies grow and hire, students gain experience, and communities benefit from new opportunities and long-term career pathways. Together with Governor Moore, the state of Maryland, and Anne Arundel County leaders, we are building a permanent path to long-term lunar operations, an advanced robotics and mechanisms center of excellence, and a technology edge for our nation.”
The company plans to nearly double its Maryland headcount with the move, targeting a workforce of close to 100 employees.