Vigoride
![]() | Some of this article's listed sources may not be reliable. (January 2021) |
Has use | Space tug |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Momentus Space |
Country of origin | United States |
Cost per launch | 4.5 US dollars |
Capacity | |
Payload to low Earth orbit | |
Mass | 250 kg (550 lb) |
Launch history | |
Status | In Development |
Total launches | 0 |
Success(es) | 0 |
Vigoride is a space tug that is under development by Momentus Space.[1] The total payload capacity that it can support to LEO is 250 kg with a future upgrade that could support up to 750 kg.[2][3] Vigoride is capable of changing orbital planes, inclination, and propelling spacecraft to up to 2,000 km. 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] Its first mission is currently scheduled for early 2021. 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]
List of Upcoming Launches[]
Mission Name | Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload ( ~ = Picosatellite) | Customer |
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Vigoride (VR-3) Demo 1 | June 1, 2022[9] | ![]() |
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ISISPACE |
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Orbit NTNU | |||
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Danish Students CubeSat Program | |||
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ARCA Dynamics | |||
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SatRevolution | |||
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SatRevolution | |||
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FOSSA Systems | |||
~ ![]() |
Care Weather | |||
~ ![]() |
FOSSA Systems | |||
~ ![]() |
Paul Kocyla | |||
Vigoride (VR-5) Demo 2 | June 1, 2022[17] | ![]() |
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Bronco Space / Cal Poly Pomona University |
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Portland State
Aerospace Society | |||
Vigoride | October 1, 2022 | ![]() |
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Qosmosys / NuSpace |
Vigoride | 2022 | TBD | ![]() ![]() |
Made In Space / Momentus Space |
Ardoride (Lunar Mission) | 2024 | TBD | ![]() |
Canadensys |
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Qosmosys / NuSpace | |||
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Qosmosys / Momentus | |||
Virgoride (Delayed or Unassigned Payloads) | Delayed from VR-2 | TBD | ![]() |
Lockheed Martin / USC |
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Space Kidz India | |||
NET 2022 | TBD | ![]() |
Xona Space Systems | |
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California Institute of Technology | |||
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Proxops | |||
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Aliena / NuSpace | |||
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Gran Systems | |||
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Odysseus | |||
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Kepler | |||
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Kepler | |||
NET Q4 2023 | TBD | ![]() |
Sen |
References[]
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ "VR-3 June-22 STA Narrative".
- ^ "Announcing our latest service contract for Orbit NTNU". Momentus. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ^ "Momentus Announces 2022 Launch Services Agreement With Danish Students CubeSat Program". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
- ^ "Announcing Our Work with LunaSonde". Momentus. 2020-09-10. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ "Our Work with Astrogate Labs and ARCA Dynamics". Momentus. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
- ^ a b c d e f g h "Momentus Inc. VR-2 U". March 29, 2021.
- ^ a b "STORK Mission". Retrieved January 28, 2021.
- ^ "Veery-FS1 FCC Narrative Description (REV A)".
- ^ "VR-5 June-22 STA Narrative v3".
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "Made In Space Europe and Momentus plan robotic spacecraft". SpaceNews. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ^ "Momentus Announces First Rideshare Mission to Moon". www.businesswire.com. 2020-12-01. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ "Momentus and Qosmosys Announce First Singaporean Lunar Mission on Momentus' Ardoride Service Vehicle". www.businesswire.com. 2021-02-16. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ "Momentus and QOSMOSYS to Expand Cooperation on Lunar Logistics Services". Qosmosys. 2021-09-01. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
- ^ "Momentus Announces Service Agreement with Xona Space Systems". www.businesswire.com. 2021-02-11. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ "Momentus Lands Caltech Mission for its New Hosted Payload Service - Via Satellite -". Via Satellite. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
- ^ a b "Investor Presentation December 2020" (PDF). p. 26. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
- ^ Goh, Deyana (2020-02-07). "Singapore startups' NuX-1 cubesat to be orbited via Momentus, SpaceX". SpaceTech Asia. Retrieved 2021-02-06.
- ^ "Narsai: Announcing Complete Integration of All Customer Satellites". Momentus. 2020-12-24. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
- ^ "Momentus signs up Taiwanese customer for Vigoride flight". SpaceNews. 2020-04-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
- ^ a b "Momentus Supporting Kepler's GEN1 Constellation". Momentus. 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
- ^ a b "Momentus and Kepler announce service agreement". SpaceNews. 2020-10-20. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
- Space tugs