Scientists Fear a Passing Star Could Fling Earth Out of the Sun's Orbit, Into the Frigid Expanse Beyond
But in the classic "Goldilocks" fairy tale, our eponymous protagonist is forced to flee from the bears' abode she rudely invited herself into, never to return. No more perfect porridges or adequately sized beds.
That could be the case for Earth one day, if we are to exhaust this analogy. Instead of being booted out by unfriendly bears, however, we might be kicked to the curb by a passing star.
Actually, an untimely eviction might be the good scenario. A new study published in the journal Icarus suggests that the gravity of an unmoored star could, like we mentioned, hurl us into the frigid expanse of space — or it could jumble the orbits of the other planets enough to send one of them crashing straight into Earth, delivered, all too belatedly, like a cosmic misericorde.
Morbid as it is to envision our planet's demise, the work illustrates how our solar system, far from a sequestered island, is in tune with the rest of the universe, and that astronomers may be overlooking the influence of distant objects.
"Our simulations indicate that isolated models of the solar system can underestimate the degree of our giant planets' future secular orbital changes by over an order of magnitude," wrote study lead author Nathan Kaib, an astronomer at the Planetary Science Institute, in the paper.
Summarizing his latest findings, Kaib told Science News there's about a five percent chance — over the next five billion years — that a wayward star could come within 100 astronomical units of our solar system, or about 100 times the distance between the Earth and the Sun.
Should that happen, all eyes should be on Mercury. In the researchers' simulations, Mercury's orbit could become so elliptical that it smacks into either the Sun or Venus. That, in turn, could cause Venus or Mars to careen into Earth — that is, if the gravitational havoc doesn't cause our planet to go the way of Icarus, instead.
Barring that, Earth could be knocked in the direction of Jupiter, before the gas giant homers us into the void of interstellar space.
There's a silver lining. "None of these things are probable," Kaib told Science News. There's only 0.2 percent chance of one these grim scenarios befalling Earth, in a generous window stretching billions of years.
"Nonetheless, this probability of Earth orbital change is hundreds of times larger than prior estimates," Kaib emphasizes in the paper.
Kaib previously published research which suggested that the Earth's orbit was altered by a passing star three million years ago, opening the possibility that events like these could have been responsible for historical fluctuations in the Earth's climate.
At the same time, it's a slightly unsettling reminder of just how delicate the architecture of our galactic neck of the woods can be.
"It's a little scary how vulnerable we may be to planetary chaos," Renu Malhotra, a planetary scientist at the University of Arizona in Tucson who was not involved with the study, told Science News.
More on astronomy: Scientists Detect Mysterious Object in Deep Solar System
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A link to the live webcast of the earnings conference call will be made available on the investors portion of the Intuitive Machines' website at Following the conference call, a webcast replay will be available through the same link on the investors portion of the Intuitive Machines' website at Key Business Metrics and Non-GAAP Financial Measures In addition to the GAAP financial measures set forth in this press release, the Company has included certain financial measures that have not been prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles ('GAAP') and constitute 'non-GAAP financial measures' as defined by the SEC. This includes adjusted EBITDA ('Adjusted EBITDA'). Adjusted EBITDA is a key performance measure that our management team uses to assess the Company's operating performance and is calculated as net income (loss) excluding results from non-operating sources including interest income, interest expense, gain on extinguishing of debt, share-based compensation, change in fair value instruments, gain or loss on issuance of securities, other income/expense, depreciation, impairment of property and equipment, and provision for income taxes. Intuitive Machines has included Adjusted EBITDA because we believe it is helpful in highlighting trends in the Company's operating results and because it is frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. Adjusted EBITDA has limitations as an analytical measure, and investors should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of the Company's results as reported under GAAP. Other companies, including companies in Intuitive Machines' industry, may calculate Adjusted EBITDA differently, which reduces its usefulness as a comparative measure. Because of these limitations, you should consider Adjusted EBITDA alongside other financial performance measures, including various cash flow metrics, net income (loss) and our other GAAP results. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is included below under the heading 'Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measure.' We define free cash flow as net cash (used in) provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment. We believe that free cash flow is a meaningful indicator of liquidity that provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from operations that, after purchases of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including continuous investment in our business and strengthening our balance sheet. Free Cash Flow has limitations as a liquidity measure, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our cash flows as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: Free Cash Flow is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP; Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similarly titled metrics of other companies due to differences among methods of calculation; and Free Cash Flow may be affected in the near to medium term by the timing of capital investments, fluctuations in our growth and the effect of such fluctuations on working capital and changes in our cash conversion cycle. A reconciliation of Free Cash Flow to the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure is included below under the heading 'Reconciliation of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measure.' The Company has also included contracted backlog, which is defined as the total estimate of the revenue the Company expects to realize in the future as a result of performing work on awarded contracts, less the amount of revenue the Company has previously recognized. Intuitive Machines monitors its backlog because we believe it is a forward-looking indicator of potential sales which can be helpful to investors in evaluating the performance of its business and identifying trends over time. About Intuitive Machines Intuitive Machines is a diversified space technology, infrastructure, and services company focused on fundamentally disrupting lunar access economics. In 2024, Intuitive Machines successfully soft-landed the Company's Nova-C class lunar lander, on the Moon, returning the United States to the lunar surface for the first time since 1972. In 2025, Intuitive Machines returned to the lunar south pole with a second lander. 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These forward-looking statements include but are not limited to statements regarding: our expectations and plans related to any proposed business combination; our expectations and plans relating to our missions to the Moon, including the expected timing of launch and our progress in preparation thereof; our expectations with respect to, among other things, demand for our product portfolio, our submission of bids for contracts; our expectations regarding revenue for government contracts awarded to us; our expectations regarding changes to government contracts or programs; our operations, our financial performance and our industry; our business strategy, business plan, and plans to drive long-term sustainable shareholder value; information under 'Outlook,' or 'Guidance' including our expectations on revenue generation, backlog and cash. These forward-looking statements reflect the Company's predictions, projections, or expectations based upon currently available information and data. Our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward looking statements. The following important factors and uncertainties, among others, could cause actual outcomes or results to differ materially from those indicated by the forward-looking statements in this presentation: our reliance upon the efforts of our Board and key personnel to be successful; our limited operating history; our failure to manage our growth effectively; competition from existing or new companies; unsatisfactory safety performance of our spaceflight systems or security incidents at our facilities; cyber incidents; failure of the market for commercial spaceflight to achieve the growth potential we expect; any delayed launches, launch failures, failure of our satellites or lunar landers to reach their planned orbital locations, significant increases in the costs related to launches of satellites and lunar landers, and insufficient capacity available from satellite and lunar lander launch providers; our customer concentration; risks associated with commercial spaceflight, including any accident on launch or during the journey into space; risks associated with the handling, production and disposition of potentially explosive and ignitable energetic materials and other dangerous chemicals in our operations; our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for certain materials and supplied components; failure of our products to operate in the expected manner or defects in our products; counterparty risks on contracts entered into with our customers and failure of our prime contractors to maintain their relationships with their counterparties and fulfill their contractual obligations; failure to successfully defend protest from other bidders for government contracts; failure to comply with various laws and regulations relating to various aspects of our business and any changes in the funding levels of various governmental entities with which we do business; our failure to protect the confidentiality of our trade secrets and know how; our failure to comply with the terms of third-party open source software our systems utilize; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal control over financial reporting, and to address and remediate material weaknesses in our internal control over financial reporting; the U.S. government's budget deficit and the national debt, as well as any inability of the U.S. government to complete its budget process for any government fiscal year, and our dependence on U.S. government contracts and funding by the government for the government contracts; our failure to comply with U.S. export and import control laws and regulations and U.S. economic sanctions and trade control laws and regulations; uncertain global macro-economic and political conditions and rising inflation; our history of losses and failure to achieve profitability and our need for substantial additional capital to fund our operations; the fact that our financial results may fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter; our holding company status; the risk that our business and operations could be significantly affected if it becomes subject to any litigation, including securities litigation or stockholder activism; our public securities' potential liquidity and trading; and other public filings and press releases other factors detailed under the section titled Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2024 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), the section titled Part I, Item 2, Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations and the section titled Part II. Item 1A. 'Risk Factors' in our most recently filed Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, and in our subsequent filings with the SEC, which are accessible on the SEC's website at These forward-looking statements are based on information available as of the date of this presentation and current expectations, forecasts, and assumptions, and involve a number of judgments, risks, and uncertainties. Accordingly, forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing our views as of any subsequent date, and we do not undertake any obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date they were made, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as may be required under applicable securities laws. Contacts For investor inquiries:investors@ For media inquiries:press@ MACHINES, Consolidated Balance Sheets(In thousands)(Unaudited) June 30,2025 December 31, 2024 ASSETS Current assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 344,901 $ 207,607 Restricted cash 2,042 2,042 Trade accounts receivable, net 36,571 44,759 Contract assets 8,438 34,592 Prepaid and other current assets 4,801 4,161 Total current assets 396,753 293,161 Property and equipment, net 40,607 23,364 Operating lease right-of-use assets 37,662 38,765 Finance lease right-of-use assets 110 114 Other assets 507 — Total assets $ 475,639 $ 355,404 LIABILITIES, MEZZANINE EQUITY AND SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT Current liabilities Accounts payable and accrued expenses 22,096 $ 17,350 Accounts payable - affiliated companies 4,308 2,750 Contract liabilities, current 68,426 65,184 Operating lease liabilities, current 2,119 2,021 Finance lease liabilities, current 41 37 Other current liabilities 10,305 11,489 Total current liabilities 107,295 98,831 Contract liabilities, non-current 3,215 14,334 Operating lease liabilities, non-current 35,136 35,259 Finance lease liabilities, non-current 49 63 Earn-out liabilities — 134,156 Warrant liabilities 38,809 68,778 Other long-term liabilities 242 62 Total liabilities 184,746 351,483 Commitments and contingencies MEZZANINE EQUITY Series A preferred stock subject to possible redemption 6,291 5,990 Redeemable noncontrolling interests 663,725 1,005,965 SHAREHOLDERS' DEFICIT Class A common stock 12 10 Class C common stock 6 6 Treasury Stock (33,525 ) (12,825 ) Paid-in capital — — Accumulated deficit (347,689 ) (996,453 ) Total shareholders' deficit attributable to the Company (381,196 ) (1,009,262 ) Noncontrolling interests 2,073 1,228 Total shareholders' deficit (379,123 ) (1,008,034 ) Total liabilities, mezzanine equity and shareholders' deficit $ 475,639 $ 355,404 INTUITIVE MACHINES, Consolidated Statements of Operations(In thousands)(Unaudited) Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 1 2025 2024 1 Revenue $ 50,313 $ 41,641 $ 112,837 $ 114,860 Operating expenses: Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation) 56,047 48,428 104,972 98,268 Cost of revenue (excluding depreciation) - affiliated companies 6,109 9,264 13,031 18,623 Depreciation 752 423 1,375 837 General and administrative expense (excluding depreciation) 16,045 11,026 32,176 27,407 Total operating expenses 78,953 69,141 151,554 145,135 Operating loss (28,640 ) (27,500 ) (38,717 ) (30,275 ) Other income (expense), net: Interest income, net 3,428 20 4,821 — Change in fair value of earn-out liabilities — 22,109 (33,369 ) (488 ) Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (13,033 ) 21,009 29,969 (2,955 ) Gain (loss) on issuance of securities — 596 — (68,080 ) Other income, net 39 421 65 422 Total other income (expense), net (9,566 ) 44,155 1,486 (71,101 ) Income (loss) before income taxes (38,206 ) 16,655 (37,231 ) (101,376 ) Income tax expense — — — — Net income (loss) (38,206 ) 16,655 (37,231 ) (101,376 ) Net loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interest (13,408 ) (2,805 ) (1,499 ) (24,322 ) Net income attributable to noncontrolling interest 383 789 845 1,761 Net income (loss) attributable to the Company (25,181 ) 18,671 (36,577 ) (78,815 ) Less: Preferred dividends (151 ) (137 ) (298 ) (608 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Class A common shareholders $ (25,332 ) $ 18,534 $ (36,875 ) $ (79,423 ) ________________________1 Reflects immaterial, non-cash corrections primarily related to historical estimated contract losses on certain lunar payload services contracts; see our June 30, 2025 Form 10-Q for further MACHINES, Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows(In thousands)(Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 Cash flows from operating activities: Net loss $ (37,231 ) $ (101,376 ) Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash used in operating activities: Depreciation 1,375 837 Bad debt expense 135 440 Share-based compensation expense 5,364 5,895 Change in fair value of earn-out liabilities 33,369 488 Change in fair value of warrant liabilities (29,969 ) 2,955 Loss on issuance of securities — 68,080 Other 177 154 Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Trade accounts receivable, net 8,053 (21,821 ) Accounts receivable - affiliated companies (16 ) — Contract assets 26,154 (834 ) Prepaid expenses (1,131 ) (172 ) Other assets, net 1,107 244 Accounts payable and accrued expenses 305 7,145 Accounts payable – affiliated companies 1,558 (37 ) Contract liabilities – current and long-term (7,876 ) (3,150 ) Other liabilities (1,218 ) 3,450 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 156 (37,702 ) Cash flows from investing activities: Purchase of property and equipment (14,176 ) (3,793 ) Net cash used in investing activities (14,176 ) (3,793 ) Cash flows from financing activities: Warrants exercised 176,620 51,360 Redemption of warrants (66 ) — Transaction costs — (437 ) Repurchase of Class A Common Stock (20,700 ) — Proceeds from borrowings — 10,000 Repayment of loans — (15,000 ) Proceeds from issuance of securities — 27,481 Payment of withholding taxes from share-based awards (4,540 ) (2,123 ) Stock option exercises — 300 Distributions to noncontrolling interests — (973 ) Net cash provided by financing activities 151,314 70,608 Net increase in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash 137,294 29,113 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of the period 209,649 4,560 Cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of the period 346,943 33,673 Less: restricted cash 2,042 2,042 Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period $ 344,901 $ 31,631 INTUITIVE MACHINES, of GAAP to Non-GAAP Financial Measure Adjusted EBITDA The following table presents a reconciliation of net loss, the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP, to Adjusted EBITDA. Three Months Ended June 30, Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) 2025 2024 2025 2024 Net income (loss) $ (38,206 ) $ 16,655 $ (37,231 ) $ (101,376 ) Adjusted to exclude the following: Depreciation 752 423 1,375 837 Interest income, net (3,428 ) (20 ) (4,821 ) — Share-based compensation expense 2,520 1,969 5,364 5,895 Change in fair value of earn-out liabilities — (22,109 ) 33,369 488 Change in fair value of warrant liabilities 13,033 (21,009 ) (29,969 ) 2,955 (Gain) loss on issuance of securities — (596 ) — 68,080 Other income, net (39 ) (421 ) (65 ) (422 ) Adjusted EBITDA $ (25,368 ) $ (25,108 ) $ (31,978 ) $ (23,543 ) Free Cash Flow We define free cash flow as net cash (used in) provided by operating activities less purchases of property and equipment. We believe that free cash flow is a meaningful indicator of liquidity that provides information to management and investors about the amount of cash generated from operations that, after purchases of property and equipment, can be used for strategic initiatives, including continuous investment in our business and strengthening our balance sheet. Free Cash Flow has limitations as a liquidity measure, and you should not consider it in isolation or as a substitute for analysis of our cash flows as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are: Free Cash Flow is not a measure calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. Free Cash Flow may not be comparable to similarly titled metrics of other companies due to differences among methods of calculation. Free Cash Flow may be affected in the near to medium term by the timing of capital investments, fluctuations in our growth and the effect of such fluctuations on working capital and changes in our cash conversion cycle. The following table presents a reconciliation of net cash used in operating activities, the most directly comparable financial measure presented in accordance with GAAP, to free cash flow: Six Months Ended June 30, (in thousands) 2025 2024 Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities $ 156 $ (37,702 ) Purchases of property and equipment (14,176 ) (3,793 ) Free cash flow $ (14,020 ) $ (41,495 ) Backlog The following table presents our backlog as of the periods indicated: (in thousands) June 30, 2025 December 31, 2024 Backlog $ 256,909 $ 328,345 Backlog decreased by $71.4 million as of June 30, 2025 compared to December 31, 2024, primarily due to continued performance on existing contracts of $112.8 million and IM-2 mission close-out adjustments of $8.4 million, partially offset by $49.8 million in new awards primarily associated with the NSN contract of $18.0 million, TSC grant of $10.0 million, OMES III contract of $7.0 million, and various other contracts. This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified in to access your portfolio
Chicago Tribune
15 hours ago
- Chicago Tribune
Daily Horoscope for August 07, 2025
General Daily Insight for August 07, 2025 A melancholy mood is possible today, but it isn't likely to last forever. Our craving for security may conflict with our longing to express ourselves as the anxious Capricorn Moon squares angsty Chiron. We'll potentially get out of this rut after the Moon enters open-minded Aquarius at 9:18 pm EDT. When Luna then goes on to trine assertive Mars, trying a strategy we've been pondering for a while could work out surprisingly well. We probably know more than we think we do! Aries March 21 – April 19 You may currently feel compelled to prove your worth in relation to some official standard. Maybe that's not what your friends need from you right now, though. As the hungry Moon in your social sector leans on energetic Mars in your 7th House of Relationships, you're likely already valued for your ability to serve as a reliable companion. Learning to appreciate this side of yourself is a great way to obtain a fresh perspective. Wherever you're falling short, that's not the whole story! Taurus April 20 – May 20 A belief you've long relied on for comfort may no longer seem to answer your big questions. You probably won't be able to replace it with something more satisfying today — and, in the end, that might not even be the best solution to your problem. Once the fluctuating Moon moves into your 10th House of Authority, you'll be better off focusing on what you realistically have the power to do in the here and now. Take a win wherever you can get one! Gemini May 21 – June 20 A group you belong to may be rubbing you the wrong way. You might wish they would meet you at a level of emotional intimacy that they're not really equipped to provide. Still, there is a chance that they'll be able to offer you fun adventures. As the curious Moon in your expansive 9th house aligns with lively Mars in your pleasure zone, it's okay to enjoy that experience and appreciate it for what it is. Things don't always need to be complicated! Cancer June 21 – July 22 Power struggles in a significant relationship of yours are a present danger. If you want a different dynamic with this person, you may ultimately be able to achieve that. Even so, as the candid Moon in your intimacy zone looks to bold Mars in your security sector, it'll take courage to get there. Opening up emotionally can give each of you a chance to air what you need now — and that's potentially different from what you genuinely needed in the past. Leo July 23 – August 22 Conflict could strike between your sense of duty and your longing for adventure. You may feel deprived of the good time you believe you deserve as the attentive Moon in your responsible 6th house makes a fuss over resentful Chiron in your 9th House of Travel. Keep in mind that you don't necessarily need to go anywhere extravagant to be stimulated. Try striking up conversations with the people who are already around you — this will potentially build relationships you'll be glad to have! Virgo August 23 – September 22 Getting the validation you crave could seem impossible at present. You might feel like others don't understand you — and working harder to make your case would require you to travel deeper into uncomfortable personal territory. After the sensitive Moon shifts into your 6th House of Responsibilities, you may find it easier to focus on making practical progress toward material goals instead. Your other desires aren't necessarily wrong to have, but you deserve the space offered by a project that's totally within your control. Libra September 23 – October 22 Playing out old patterns in a current relationship is a risk. As the delicate Moon in your 4th House of Roots goads wounded Chiron in your partnership sector, you're likely to see the past when you look at the present. In a way, telling your story might help. The process of putting the facts in order and expressing them could nudge you toward a more realistic perspective on today's events. It could guide you to see where there's room to change the outcome this time! Scorpio October 23 – November 21 Your responsibilities could have you feeling resentful at the moment. As the impulsive Moon in your communication sector provokes weary Chiron in your 6th House of Work, you're liable to snap at anyone who gets in your way. You probably need to take a break — and you'll have to be realistic about whether anyone else is really stopping you from doing this, whatever it is. Carving out time and space to relax has the potential to be empowering as well as rejuvenating. Sagittarius November 22 – December 21 Asserting yourself doesn't have to be so intimidating. Launch your initial efforts on a manageable scale instead of going straight to the scariest aspects. As the vulnerable Moon passes into your communication zone and aligns with confident Mars in your social 11th house, merely bringing a more personal touch than usual into your routine conversations with your friends could help you build up your confidence. These interactions don't have to be all about you, but you do have a right to be there! Capricorn December 22 – January 19 Feeling like you lack a firm foundation could rattle you. Are you concerned that your background didn't prepare you well enough for a current goal of yours? Whatever your history is, stepping out there and trying something new should go better than you expect. As the fretful Moon in your self-worth zone looks to brave Mars in your ambitious 10th house, you may take it personally when you succeed — and that's a good thing in this case! Let it push you to keep going. Aquarius January 20 – February 18 An ongoing or upcoming conversation could be frustrating because there's a key piece of information you're not in a position to comment on yet. Talking about a less charged subject might go better for you as the expressive Moon in your sign trines intrepid Mars in your expansive 9th house. You'll have more confidence when commenting on material you know well on an intellectual level. That should also be a useful reminder that the world is bigger than whatever personal drama is weighing on you! Pisces February 19 – March 20 A passing comment in a social setting could abruptly trigger your insecurities. If a relationship you care about is on the line, it might be worth the trouble to raise your concerns in private with the person who made the remark. Before you approach them, take a few moments to reflect on how reasonable your expectations are. This individual can probably make a few changes for your comfort, but there are likely some things they can't fix, no matter what they do.
