Moog Hits New Milestone With NASA Psyche Mars Flyby While Eyes Turn to Earnings
NEW YORK, July 21, 2026, 04:10 (EDT)
- Psyche’s instruments operated as intended; NASA aims for a rendezvous in summer 2029.
- Quarterly gains were driven by Moog’s Space and Defense segment; shares have increased 62.6% so far this year.
Moog Inc. NYSE:MOG.A gained recognition for its role in NASA’s Psyche mission flyby, marking an achievement in deep-space efforts. However, with shares up 62.6% since the start of the year, investor focus turns to the upcoming earnings.
NASA reported the spacecraft’s instruments performed as intended on its May 15 flyby of Mars. The path remains set for a rendezvous in summer 2029. The mission has successfully passed a key milestone.
Moog’s biggest segment last quarter was Space and Defense, which also posted the highest growth rate. For investors, the flyby demonstrates bidding activity, not a confirmed new contract.
Moog reports that its cold-gas thrusters were used on the Psyche mission. The company’s SoftRide system also shielded the spacecraft during its 2023 launch. According to Moog, this marked the 51st time SoftRide has achieved a full-spacecraft deployment. The announcement did not disclose the contract amount.
Moog’s business scale is demonstrated in its most recent unaudited quarterly report.
| Moog division, fiscal Q2 | Revenue | Year-over-year change | Operating profit margin |
|---|---|---|---|
| Space and Defense | $313.6 million | 16.1% | 13.8% |
| Industrial | $255.9 million | 9.1% | 12.9% |
| Commercial Aircraft | $247.0 million | 14.6% | 11.9% |
| Military Aircraft | $235.5 million | 10.1% | 13.7% |
Growth rates based on data disclosed by Moog.
The Space and Defense segment contributed 29.8% toward Moog’s $1.052 billion in sales for the quarter. In April, CEO Pat Roche stated, “Demand is strong, business is executing well.” SEC
Moog reported a 33% increase in its 12-month backlog, reaching $3.3 billion. The company projected adjusted earnings per share for fiscal 2026 at $10.60, with a possible variation of 20 cents either way. These figures are more significant than images.
Based on Monday’s closing price, the shares trade at 37.4 times the midpoint estimate. The price-to-earnings ratio for the previous period was 44.2. This valuation provides minimal cushion against underperformance in the upcoming quarter.
The NYSE’s main trading session ended and will resume at 9:30 a.m. EDT. Moog declined 3.4% between July 10 and July 17. On Monday, it gained 0.7% to close at $395.96.
The upcoming week opens with an earnings watch. Moog is set to announce its fiscal Q3 earnings on July 31. Roche, together with CFO Jennifer Walter, plans a call at 10 a.m.
NASA confirmed successful operation of the instrument. Imager principal investigator Jim Bell stated it “performed brilliantly.” The four-image mosaic achieved a resolution of 381 to 440 meters per pixel. NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL)
The spectrometer recorded the anticipated rise in neutrons at the point of closest approach. The magnetometer registered Mars’ bow shock as well. Both instruments operated under actual flight conditions.
Psyche is set to restart continuous electric thrusting later this year. NASA anticipates the spacecraft will reach the asteroid by summer 2029.
Risks: Psyche is still three years away from reaching its target. Moog is additionally exposed to tariff challenges, risks associated with government contracts, and a high valuation.
For investors, the flyby offers proof, not profit. July 31 will determine if Moog can translate strong demand into earnings.
