Momentus Space

[gongora]

Link to the rest of the filing: SAT-STA-20191105-00126

[gongora]

Momentus withdrew their FCC filing.

[TrevorMonty]

Momentus withdrew their FCC filing.

Developing slipping to right?. If so nothing to worry about its industry norm.

[gongora]

[Press Release: Feb. 5, 2020] Service Roadmap for Vigoride

2020 is a big year for Momentus, as our Vigoride shuttle will fly two demo missions, paving the way for commercial missions from 2021 onward.

Through joint efforts in flexible ridesharing this will open a new paradigm in flexibility for custom drop-off altitudes and orbits in space. You can read about some of our first customers on Space News here and here.

The first ever water-powered microwave electro-thermal (MET) thruster was launched and tested in space on our El Camino Real mission in 2019. The first full-scale Vigoride test mission “Strait of Magellan” is planned for Q3 2020 on the Soyuz rocket. Another planned ride is titled “Amber Road” in December 2020 on the SpaceX dedicated rideshare mission.

What all of this means is a very exciting future for satellite owners and operators with regards to price and efficiency. Whereas our Charter Service includes only an orbital transfer and requires the customer to procure a launch, our Shuttle Service includes launch provisions and the orbital transfer. More options…flexibility, and savings ultimately!

After demos are completed in Q3/Q4, quarterly launches will be available in 2021 and beyond.

[Space News: Feb. 4, 2020] Momentus announces customers for in-space shuttle service

Momentus announced plans at the SmallSat Symposium here to deploy a SteamJet cubesat on its Vigoride demonstration mission scheduled to launch later this year on a Russian Soyuz rocket...

SteamJet’s 1.5-unit cubesat will be integrated into a deployer designed to fit multiple cubesats built by Innovative Solutions in Space of the Netherlands. The deployer will then be mounted on Momentus’ Vigoride transfer vehicle, Dawn Harms, Momentus chief revenue officer, said by email.
...
In total, Momentus has five customers lined up for shuttle flights in 2020 and 2021...

Singapore startups NuSpace and Aliena plan to send their joint NuX-1 demonstration satellite on Momentus’ Vigoride orbital transfer vehicle after it launches in early 2021 on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California.

[Space News: Feb. 5, 2020] Aurora to test deorbit tether on Momentus mission

Aurora plans to send a 1.5-unit cubesat into orbit on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket in December 2020 before riding with Momentus’ Vigoride service to sun-synchronous orbit.

The Aurora cubesat will demonstrate water-fueled resistojet thrusters to provide attitude and altitude control as well as the Plasma Brake Module for deorbiting, Aurora CEO Roope Takala told SpaceNews.

I'm trying to figure out if these announcements mean Momentus will be riding on SpaceX rideshares in both December 2020 and Q1 2021?  Seems like an awfully fast ramp in cadence for Momentus if those are different missions.

[gongora]

SAT-STA-20200221-00016

This ODAR evaluates the Momentus initial demonstration mission, Vigoride-1 (“VR-1”), which
has a planned launch on a Soyuz-2 rocket in August 2020. For the initial mission, VR-1 will
have the capacity to transport and deploy multiple payloads (individually, “Payload 1” and
“Payload 2,” and together, the “Payloads”). Payload 1 is a 1.5U cubesat launched on behalf of
Steamjet Space Systems. Payload 2 is a Spire Inc. 3U Lemur-class cubesat. The de-orbit
analysis for customer satellite payloads will be addressed through the licensing process for
the relevant payload.

Launch Vehicle:
• Soyuz-2

Expected Launch Site:
• Baikonur Cosmodrome, Kazakhstan

Operational Mission Duration:
• Planned for 180 days.

The VR-1 general concept of operations is as follows:
1. Launch vehicle arrives at initial orbit (500-565 km altitude circular)
2. VR-1 separates from launch vehicle
3. VR-1 undergoes commissioning and preliminary testing
4. VR-1 deploys Payloads 1 and 2
5. VR-1 conducts orbit raising maneuvers to second orbit (max. 585 km circular)
6. VR-1 performs detailed system functional testing
7. VR-1 conducts de-orbit maneuvers (targeting 450 km perigee or less)

[gongora]

Momentus to offer last-miles service from SpaceX rideshare flights: https://spacenews.com/momentus-spacex-rideshare/

Momentus purchased rides on five SpaceX Falcon 9 smallSat rideshare missions in 2020 and 2021 to showcase the ability of its Vigoride in-space transportation vehicle to move customer satellites 300 to 1,200 kilometers beyond the drop-off point, the Santa Clara, California, company announced March 9.

More at the link.

[gongora]

Momentus to Provide Unmatched Flexibility for SpaceX Rideshare Missions
3.9.2020

As we have written in the past, SpaceX has proven a new paradigm for the satellite launch industry. From record-breaking launches for payloads (number of satellites on one rocket) to one of the most innovative and flexible ridesharing programs, the team there has proven that the world’s first orbital-class reusable rocket can bring down costs for smallsat operators through regularly scheduled, dedicated Falcon 9 rideshare missions.

Still, many CubeSat and smallsat operators would prefer to be in custom orbits at different inclinations, in different orbit planes, or at different altitudes.

Today, we are announcing Momentus has purchased rides on six SpaceX SmallSat Rideshare Program missions, including five launches to Sun-Synchronous orbit (SSO) and one to mid-inclined low Earth orbit, which Momentus will use to allow its customers access to custom drop-off altitudes and orbits in space.

Customers already signed up for the 2020 and 2021 Vigoride flights include U.K. startup Steamjet Space Systems, NuSpace of Singapore and Aurora Propulsion Technologies of Finland. Additional customers have signed up for Momentus rides from the Falcon 9 drop-off to other destinations.

In the past, smallsat operators had to squeeze in alongside larger, more expensive equipment that would dictate the launch schedule. By augmenting SpaceX’s innovative ridesharing program, Momentus is saving time and money for smallsat operators to reach a given destination orbit…opening up space for a new era.

[gongora]

SAT-STA-20200221-00016

This ODAR evaluates the Momentus initial demonstration mission, Vigoride-1 (“VR-1”), which
has a planned launch on a Soyuz-2 rocket in August 2020. For the initial mission, VR-1 will
have the capacity to transport and deploy multiple payloads (individually, “Payload 1” and
“Payload 2,” and together, the “Payloads”). Payload 1 is a 1.5U cubesat launched on behalf of
Steamjet Space Systems. Payload 2 is a Spire Inc. 3U Lemur-class cubesat. The de-orbit
analysis for customer satellite payloads will be addressed through the licensing process for
the relevant payload.

Launch Vehicle:
• Soyuz-2
...

This STA request has been withdrawn.

[gongora]

ISISpace and Momentus Sign Framework Agreement for Launch Hardware and Supporting Services

April 03, 2020 – Santa Clara, CA / Delft, NL — Momentus (www.momentus.space), provider of in-space transportation services for satellites, and ISIS – Innovative Solutions In Space (ISISpace), today announced a framework agreement for launch hardware and supporting services that will aid the Momentus Vigoride Orbit Transfer Vehicle.

As part of the framework agreement, Momentus has ordered 30 QuadPack CubeSat Deployers to allow the accommodation of CubeSats on these missions.
...

[gongora]

[Press Release] Space video streaming company Sen awards Momentus orbital deployment contract

13.05.20

Under the agreement, Momentus’ Vigoride orbital transfer vehicles will carry Sen’s satellites to sun-synchronous orbit riding on SpaceX Falcon 9 rockets, with the first launch booked for summer 2021 and a further four satellites scheduled for late 2022. From their drop-off orbits, the Vigorides will deploy the EarthTV satellites to their final desired altitudes. In the case of the cluster of four, Vigoride will also equally distribute the satellites in their orbital plane.

Built by NanoAvionics under a separate contract that was announced in March, the EarthTV satellites are cubesats with a 16U form factor, which makes them the largest payloads contracted to Momentus so far. This is also the first agreement specifically leveraging the orbital maneuvering capabilities of the Vigoride shuttle.

[TrevorMonty]

Another mission for Momentus on SpaceX rideshare. The partnership between these two companies is marriage made in space. SpaceX is providing cheap ride Momentus needs, with Momentus providing spacetug that SpaceX rideshare needs. The other plus for SpaceX is not having deal with owners of all small payloads on Momentus ride. Future fervoride tugs would allow F9 to deliver many tonnes direct to GEO or lunar orbit.


http://www.spaceref.com/news/viewpr.html?pid=55840

Momentus and EnduroSat Announce Two Service Agreements

Press Release From: Momentus
Posted: Tuesday, June 16, 2020

Momentus (www.momentus.space), provider of in-space transportation services for satellites, and EnduroSat (www.endurosat.com), the European designer of spacecraft for business applications and space exploration missions, today announced two separate service agreements. The 6U and 1U CubeSats will launch February 2021 on the second Vigoride demo mission onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.

[TrevorMonty]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCztg6mWuGX-Bk5k12uT_3Aw

See this youtube channel for few interviews with Momentus.
On one video they compared mission pricing between Electron and Vigroride+SpaceX rideshare, worked out half price to deploy 6 satellites to SSO. The example was probably picked to give best results for Momentus, still on average should be lot cheaper than RL. 

They were also testing COTS components to use in their spacecraft, with one example being microwave oven magnetron for plasma drive. Cheap and reliable,  why reinvent wheel.

[gongora]

Some notes from their virtual tour at the Smallsat conference:

They have five missions manifested.  The first four are in December 2020, February 2021, June 2021, December 2021, all on Falcon 9 rideshares.

The first demo mission with Vigoride 1, flying in December, is a smaller vehicle.  The smaller size allows them to have the "plaza deck" with additional deployers that stay mounted to the second stage, but future Vigoride vehicles will take up all of their allotted volume on the ESPA port.  It is using X-band thrusters and has a smaller payload capacity.  Vigoride 1 has gone through environmental testing.  I think they said payload integration would start in October, and ship to the launch site in November.  Most of the payloads will separate from Vigoride before it changes orbit and does its propulsion testing.

The second demo mission in February is a larger vehicle with C-band thrusters.  It could carry 200-300kg of payloads and still has some space available.

The first full operational mission is in June.

They have the ability to host payloads that stay attached to Vigoride.  The Vigoride vehicles will initially do orbit lowering burns to hasten their demise at end of mission.  They hope to begin reusing their vehicles after 2021.  They plan to add docking capabilities in the future, both to allow refueling and missions such as moving a dead satellite to graveyard orbit or deorbit.  Looking forward to a future where they can use ISRU sourced water for refueling their tugs.

[john smith 19]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCztg6mWuGX-Bk5k12uT_3Aw

See this youtube channel for few interviews with Momentus.
On one video they compared mission pricing between Electron and Vigroride+SpaceX rideshare, worked out half price to deploy 6 satellites to SSO. The example was probably picked to give best results for Momentus, still on average should be lot cheaper than RL. 

They were also testing COTS components to use in their spacecraft, with one example being microwave oven magnetron for plasma drive. Cheap and reliable,  why reinvent wheel.

Fair point. People have been talking about using them for SPS since JPL did work in the 70's. It'd be nice for someone to actually do it.

That said that's roughly a Kw of energy (including losses) so that's going to need some say 3 m^2 (at 40+% efficiency) PV array or a least double that for lower efficiency cells.

[TrevorMonty]

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCztg6mWuGX-Bk5k12uT_3Aw

See this youtube channel for few interviews with Momentus.
On one video they compared mission pricing between Electron and Vigroride+SpaceX rideshare, worked out half price to deploy 6 satellites to SSO. The example was probably picked to give best results for Momentus, still on average should be lot cheaper than RL. 

They were also testing COTS components to use in their spacecraft, with one example being microwave oven magnetron for plasma drive. Cheap and reliable,  why reinvent wheel.

Fair point. People have been talking about using them for SPS since JPL did work in the 70's. It'd be nice for someone to actually do it.

That said that's roughly a Kw of energy (including losses) so that's going to need some say 3 m^2 (at 40+% efficiency) PV array or a least double that for lower efficiency cells.

Power is always issue, especially for smallsats, but there maybe low cost and mass solution in pipeline. Google Made In Space Archinaut program.

[Asteroza]

Momentus working on using a robot arm with Vigoride

https://spacenews.com/made-in-space-europe-and-momentus-plan-robotic-spacecraft/

Is this going to use something like Jon Goff's DogTags to simplify capture?


The premise of using a robot arm for towing a sat (including a rideshare sat on a different rideshare mount from the Vigoride bus) is sorta interesting. Does that imply back and forth ops from a corncob rideshare adapter to different orbits, or "oversubscribing" a Vigoride such that it can collect other passengers from other rideshare mounts after launch but before tug finally leaves (either by reaching around with the arm while still attached to the dispenser, or detaching and flying over to a mount)? If "oversubscribing", that has interesting implications for SpaceX rideshares, or any other rideshare heavy flights, since that means you could max out propellant load on a Vigoride up to the rideshare mount limit AND the customer can max out their sat to the rideshare mount limit. Vigoride may even be able to pick up drop tanks from a neighboring rideshare mount as well.

[Robotbeat]

How much does Momentus' service cost? If I want to put a 100kg spacecraft on a trans-Mars-injection flight starting in LEO (with a SpaceX launch), how much is that going to cost from Momentus' side? (SpaceX already will give you a quote for rideshare, but they only do various LEO orbits)

[TrevorMonty]

Momentus working on using a robot arm with Vigoride

https://spacenews.com/made-in-space-europe-and-momentus-plan-robotic-spacecraft/

Is this going to use something like Jon Goff's DogTags to simplify capture?


The premise of using a robot arm for towing a sat (including a rideshare sat on a different rideshare mount from the Vigoride bus) is sorta interesting. Does that imply back and forth ops from a corncob rideshare adapter to different orbits, or "oversubscribing" a Vigoride such that it can collect other passengers from other rideshare mounts after launch but before tug finally leaves (either by reaching around with the arm while still attached to the dispenser, or detaching and flying over to a mount)? If "oversubscribing", that has interesting implications for SpaceX rideshares, or any other rideshare heavy flights, since that means you could max out propellant load on a Vigoride up to the rideshare mount limit AND the customer can max out their sat to the rideshare mount limit. Vigoride may even be able to pick up drop tanks from a neighboring rideshare mount as well.

Add tankers to mix and they can offer deorbit services. Place tanker in orbit of satellites then use small lightly fuelled Vigoride to deorbit satellite and return for topup before moving onto next deorbit mission.

[gongora]

Momentus Awarded NASA TROPICS Pathfinder Mission

Looks like this contract has a value of $112k to launch a 3U cubesat.

[Robotbeat]

Momentus Awarded NASA TROPICS Pathfinder Mission

Looks like this contract has a value of $112k to launch a 3U cubesat.

That's insanely cheap. Paper study money.