Voyager Technologies has officially completed its acquisition of lunar infrastructure developer Astrobotic Technology. The closing of the transaction comes just weeks after Astrobotic clinched two major NASA commercial lunar lander contracts and represents a cornerstone of Voyager’s ambitious “LEO, Lunar, Lagrange” expansion strategy.
Under the terms of the deal initially announced on June 2; Voyager is paying $162 million in a combination of cash and stock. In addition, Voyager will assume $9 million of Astrobotic’s existing debt and has committed to up to $129 million in milestone-based performance earnout payments.
Following the finalization of the transaction, Astrobotic has been rebranded as Voyager Lunar Systems. John Thornton, who has spent years leading Astrobotic through the highs and lows of the commercial lunar lander market, will remain at the helm as the head of the newly formed division.
Acceleration Amid Key Missions
The finalization of the acquisition coincides with a flurry of high-stakes missions and contracts for the Pittsburgh-based team.
Just prior to the closing, Astrobotic shipped its large Griffin-1 lunar lander from its clean room in Pennsylvania to NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in California. The vehicle will undergo rigorous environmental testing before launching as early as the fourth quarter of this year. Griffin-1’s primary objective is to safely deliver Astrolab’s heavy FLIP rover, alongside several smaller payloads, to the lunar surface.
Credit: Voyager Lunar Systems (formerly Astrobotic)
Additionally, on June 30, NASA awarded Astrobotic a massive $298 million contract to fly two missions utilizing its smaller Peregrine lander platform. Set to launch in 2028, these landers are slated to deliver a matching suite of three NASA science payloads to key lunar coordinates.
“Astrobotic was built to make the moon accessible to the world, and joining Voyager will hit the accelerator on that mission for our customers…As Voyager Lunar Systems, we’ll continue building capabilities that advance both American leadership in space and our national interests.”
– John Thornton, Voyager Lunar Systems
Matthew Kuta, president of Voyager, confirmed that the parent company plans to actively expand Astrobotic’s existing Pittsburgh infrastructure and embark on a rapid localized hiring campaign.
Building a “LEO, Lunar, Lagrange” Powerhouse
While lunar surface access remains the crown jewel, Astrobotic’s diverse technology portfolio fits perfectly into Voyager’s broader deep-space portfolio. This includes Voyager’s strategic investment in Max Space; a pioneer in inflatable orbital, surface habitats, and proprietary in-house research into mitigating the destructive effects of abrasive lunar dust.
“You can start to see where this is going, where it’s a broader lunar strategy…It’s really starting to come together.”
– Matthew Kuta, President of Voyager
The acquisition also broadens Voyager’s reach into deep space and military propulsion markets:
- Mars Exploration: On July 8, NASA selected Astrobotic as one of seven companies to receive funding through its $17 million Science Transport and Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE) program, focusing on advanced robotic mobility for future Mars missions.
- Next-Gen Propulsion: Astrobotic has pioneered testing on a highly efficient rotating-detonation rocket engine at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center, which could have immediate dual-use applications.
- National Security: Voyager plans to leverage Astrobotic’s propulsion breakthroughs for defense applications, specifically targeting missile defense interceptor systems.
“I think there’s going to be a lot of mutual synergies there as we continue to expand that business line,”
– Matthew Kuta, President of Voyager