NASA · Public Domain
Draper
Overview
Non-profit applied-research organization spun out of MIT in 1973. Revenue from government contracts (NASA, DoD, DARPA, FBI) for high-assurance guidance + navigation systems. Historically known as the inertial-guidance contractor for Apollo Guidance Computer.
Moat: Direct Apollo Guidance Computer heritage. Trusted by NASA for high-assurance G&N on crewed and high-value missions. Non-profit status removes shareholder pressure on long-horizon R&D.
Business
Primary customers
- Government: NASA CLPS + HLS programs
- Defense: US Department of Defense
- Defense: DARPA
Sectors
Lunar guidance + navigation · Defense systems · Biomedical · Space systems
Gallery
Key Products
- ispace APEX 1.0 lunar lander (Mission 3 prime)development
Draper is prime contractor for NASA CLPS CP-12 task order, with ispace-U.S. as the lander provider. Targets Schrödinger Basin (far side) NET 2027.
First flight: 2027 (NET)
- Blue Moon Mk2 G&N partnerdevelopment
Draper provides guidance + navigation expertise on the Blue Origin Sustaining HLS lander prime team.
Investor Resources
Primary-source documents — straight from Draper's investor relations and SEC filings.
Near-term Catalysts
- 2027
ispace APEX 1.0 Mission 3 launch
First lunar mission with Draper as CLPS prime; far-side first for any US team.
Top Risks
- Single-mission concentration: Mission 3 outcome dominates Draper's lunar reputation.
- Dependent on ispace-U.S. lander delivery for CLPS performance.
Recent Milestones
- 2022-07-21
Awarded NASA CLPS CP-12 task order ($73M) for Schrödinger Basin delivery
- 2024
ispace-U.S. announced APEX 1.0 lander architecture replacing earlier ispace Series-2 design
From Management
Recent interviews and talks from Draper's leadership — hear the strategy in their own words.
What investors should know
Q1Is Draper publicly traded?⌄
Q2What's Draper's role on Mission 3 specifically?⌄
Q3Why does NASA award CLPS to a non-profit?⌄
Q4What's Draper's revenue exposure to lunar work?⌄
Q5Does Draper have other Artemis-era exposure?⌄
Peers
Compare side-by-side →Sources & References
Agency Document
- NASA Science — CP-12 task order · 2022-07-21
- NASA NSSDCA — Draper Lunar Lander · 2025-12-31
Investor Relations
- Draper — homepage · 2025-12-31