# Space Stock Pick After Rocket Lab Crash

> Intuitive Machines outperforms Rocket Lab post-rocket crash with lunar missions and NASA ties.
- Title: Space Stock Pick After Rocket Lab Crash · The Motley Fool
- Summary: Intuitive Machines outperforms Rocket Lab post-rocket crash with lunar missions and NASA ties. Intuitive Machines' lunar landers and NASA contracts make it a…
- Keywords: intuitive machines, rocket lab, lunar landers, nasa, space stocks, rocket launches, neutron rocket, finance, money, Space, Stock, Pick
- Source: The Motley Fool — https://fool.com/investing/2026/10/22/if-i-could-only-buy-1-space-stock-after-the-rocket
- Author: Leo Sun
- Published: 2026-10-22T17:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: intuitive machines, rocket lab, lunar landers, nasa, space stocks, rocket launches, neutron rocket, finance, money
## Rocket Lab's recent crash
Rocket Lab shed over a fifth of its value in the week ending Oct. 16, marking its worst weekly drop since public debut in 2021.
## Neutron rocket delay
Rocket Lab delayed its Neutron rocket launch to 2027 to compete against SpaceX's Falcon 9.
## Ligado Networks' probe
Ligado Networks requested FCC probe into Rocket Lab's Iridium acquisition.
## Intuitive Machines' lunar missions
Intuitive Machines launched two lunar landers for NASA: IM-1 in 2024 and IM-2 in 2025.
## Future lunar missions
Intuitive Machines plans IM-3 and IM-4 landers in 2027, followed by IM-5 in 2030.
## Satellite bus production
Intuitive Machines produces IM 300 and IM 500 satellite buses for NASA's orbital science missions.
## Stock comparison
Intuitive Machines trades at two times sales vs Rocket Lab's 34 times sales with higher growth potential.
## Key takeaway

Intuitive Machines' lunar landers and NASA contracts make it a better space stock pick than Rocket Lab after recent crashes.