Vigoride
Vigoride is a space tug that is under development by Momentus Space.[1] The total payload capacity that it can support to LEO is 750 kg.[2][3] Vigoride is capable of changing orbital planes, inclination, and propelling spacecraft to up to 2 km/s. It also provides small satellite operators access to power, communications, and station keeping while with the tug.[1] Momentus states that the cost is roughly $15,000 per kg depending on the exact customer specifications.[4] Vigoride uses a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and water as the propellant. In 2019, the first test of the MET in space was completed and was deemed a success in a press release,[5] while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of misleading investors.[6] The maiden launch was originally scheduled for January 2021, but was delayed due to Momentus not being able to receive FAA approval before the launch.[7] On 22 March 2021, a Vigoride mock-up named Vigoride SC was launched in place of a functional Vigoride. In October 2020, the company stated that it had already booked 1.5 Vigorides out of the 3 planned to be launched in December 2021.[8] On 25 May 2022, Momentus launched its first Vigoride spacecraft aboard SpaceX Transporter 5 mission.[9]
Function | Space tug |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Momentus space |
Country of origin | United States |
Cost per launch | 1.4M US dollars + launch cost |
Capacity | |
Payload to low Earth orbit | |
Mass | 750 kg (1,650 lb) |
Launch history | |
Status | Operational |
Total launches | 3 |
Success(es) | 2 |
Missions
Past missions
Mission Name | Spacecraft | Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload ( ~ = Picosatellite) | Customer | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Demo 1 | Vigoride-3 | 25 May 2022 | ![]() |
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Orbit NTNU | Partial failure |
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Care Weather | |||||
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FOSSA Systems | |||||
(third party port)[12][13] | ![]() |
Cal Poly Pomona | Success | |||
Demo 2 (Proximus Gradus) | Vigoride-5 | 3 January 2023 | ![]() |
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Qosmosys / NuSpace | Success |
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Caltech | |||||
Tertio In Orbita | Vigoride-6[18] | 15 April 2023 | ![]() |
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Aarhus University | Success |
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NCKU | |||||
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NASA[20] | |||||
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ARCA Dynamics | |||||
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C3S | |||||
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ARCA Dynamics | |||||
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Momentus space |
Upcoming missions
Mission Name | Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload ( ~ = Picosatellite) | Customer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Deployer[24] | November 2023 | ![]() |
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SatRevolution |
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Lunasonde | |||
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Contec Co. | |||
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Hello Space | |||
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Vigoride-7[24][27] | February 2024 | ![]() |
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Hello Space |
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Portland State University | |||
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Apogeo Space | |||
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SatRevolution | |||
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Near Space Launch | |||
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University of Sydney | |||
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C3S | |||
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Qosmosys / NuSpace | |||
~ ![]() |
FOSSA Systems | |||
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LuxSpace | |||
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University of Sydney | |||
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Ride! Space | |||
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SatRevolution | |||
Vigoride-8[37] | June 2024 | ![]() |
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FOSSA Systems |
Vigoride-9[37] | October 2024 | ![]() |
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Aarhus University |
Vigoride[39][40] | NET 2024 | ![]() |
TBA | TBA |
Virgoride (Delayed or Unassigned Payloads) | NET 2024 | TBA | ![]() |
FOSSA Systems |
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Redwire (Made In Space) / Momentus Space | |||
NET 2025 | TBA | ![]() |
C3S |
References
- "Services". Momentus. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- "Announcing Vigoride Extended". Momentus. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- "Momentus signs in-space transportation pact". SpaceNews. 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- "Investor Presentation December 2020" (PDF). p. 31. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- "Investor Presentation December 2020" (PDF). pp. 20–21. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
- "United States of America Before the Securities and Exchange Commission" (PDF). www.sec.gov/litigation. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
- "Momentus delays first Vigoride launch". SpaceNews. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- Sheetz, Michael (2020-10-07). "Momentus to become the latest space stock with ticker 'MNTS,' valued at $1.2 billion in SPAC deal". CNBC. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- "Momentus Launches First Demonstration Flight on SpaceX Falcon 9" (PDF).
- "Announcing our latest service contract for Orbit NTNU". Momentus. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- "Veery-FS1 FCC Narrative Description (REV A)".
- "Momentus - Investor Presentation".
- "Transporter 5".
- "APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY" (PDF).
- "Our latest service agreement for Singapore's Qosmosys". Momentus. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- "QONN8Q - A new way to experience space!". QONN8Q. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- "Momentus Lands Caltech Mission for its New Hosted Payload Service - Via Satellite -". Via Satellite. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- "Momentus Signs Launch Services Agreements With SpaceX". Momentus. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
- "Momentus Announces 2022 Launch Services Agreement With Danish Students CubeSat Program". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- "Momentus to Deploy Satellites in Custom Orbit for NASA LLITED Mission".
- "Our Work with Astrogate Labs and ARCA Dynamics". Momentus. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- "Momentus Inc. VR-2 U". March 29, 2021.
- "Momentus: Celebrating a Year of Progress with More to Come in 2023".
- "Momentus Deploys All Payloads from Vigoride-6 Mission". 28 July 2023. Retrieved 31 July 2023.
- "Momentus to Fly JINJUSat-1 for CONTEC Co".
- "Momentus Customers Integrated and Shipped to SpaceX Launch Site".
- "FCC Application SATLOA2023050100099". Momentus Space. FCC. 1 May 223. Retrieved 2 May 2023.
- Rainbow, Jason (6 June 2023). "Apogeo Space orders second space tug for connectivity constellation". SpaceNews. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
- "TROOP-F2 Technical Description".
- "Momentus Announces Second Services Agreement with CUAVA".
- "Momentus to Deliver FOSSA Systems Next-Generation Satellites to Orbit".
- "Momentus Announces Service Agreement for Hosted Payload with LuxSpace".
- "Triton-X".
- "Momentus Signs Contract with Australian Research Centre to Place Satellite in Orbit".
- "Momentus to Provide Delivery Service for RIDE! Space".
- "Momentus Signs Contract with SatRev for 2024 Orbital Delivery". BusinessWire. 17 October 2023. Retrieved 19 October 2023.
- "Momentus Signs Launch Service Agreement with SpaceX".
- "Momentus to Provide Delivery Service for Aarhus University Payload".
- "Transport Pricing - Momentus". Archived from the original on 18 December 2020.
- "Momentus Announces New Launch and Transportation Service with Australia's Gilmour Space".
- "Momentus to Provide Hosted Payload Services for FOSSA Systems".
- "Made In Space Europe and Momentus plan robotic spacecraft". SpaceNews. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- "Momentus Signs Contract for Orbital Delivery Services with C3S".