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]

Vigoride
FunctionSpace tug
ManufacturerMomentus space
Country of originUnited States
Cost per launch1.4M US dollars + launch cost
Capacity
Payload to low Earth orbit
Mass750 kg (1,650 lb)
Launch history
StatusOperational
Total launches3
Success(es)2

Missions

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Past missions

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Mission Name Spacecraft Date Launch Vehicle Payload ( ~ = Picosatellite) Customer Outcome
Demo 1 Vigoride-3 25 May 2022   Falcon 9 Block 5   SelfieSat[10] Orbit NTNU Partial failure
~   Veery-FS1[11] Care Weather
~   FOSSASAT-2E x7 FOSSA Systems
(third party port)[12][13]   BRONCOSAT-1[14] Cal Poly Pomona Success
Demo 2 (Proximus Gradus) Vigoride-5 3 January 2023   Falcon 9 Block 5   ZEUS-1[15][16] Qosmosys / NuSpace Success
  SSPD-1 (hosted)[17] Caltech
Tertio In Orbita Vigoride-6[18] 15 April 2023   Falcon 9 Block 5   DISCO-1[19] Aarhus University Success
  IRIS-C NCKU
  LLITED-A NASA[20]
  LLITED-B
  REVELA[21][22] ARCA Dynamics
  VIREO C3S
  SMPOD03 (hosted) ARCA Dynamics
  TApe Spring Solar Array (TASSA) (hosted)[23] Momentus space
? ISIL deployer 11 November 2023   Falcon 9 Block 5   Gossamer Vendelinus (Picacho) Lunasonde Failure[24]
  Jinjusat-1[25] Contec Co.
    STORK-7 / AMAN-1 SatRevolution
  Hello Test 1[26] Hello Space Success
  Hello Test 2

Upcoming missions

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Mission Name Date Launch Vehicle Payload ( ~ = Picosatellite) Customer
Deployer July 2024   Falcon 9 Block 5 ~   LUR-1[27] AVS
Vigoride?[28] October 2024   Falcon 9 Block 5   DISCO-2[29] Aarhus University
Delayed or Unassigned Payloads NET 2024 TBA ~   PocketPod Deployer (8p)[30] FOSSA Systems
  ZEUS-2 Qosmosys / NuSpace
  HelloPod Hello Space
  OreSat0.5 Portland State University
  PiCo × 9[31] Apogeo Space
  CLIP+ [FP002] FOSSA Systems
  Crypto-3A Cryptosat
  Triton-X (hosted)[32][33] LuxSpace
  Gaindesat[34] Ride! Space
  Djibouti[34]
~   FOSSASAT FEROX x?[30] FOSSA Systems
    Vigoride Robotic Arm Demo (Hosted Payload)[35] Redwire (Made In Space) / Momentus Space
NET 2025 TBA   Undisclosed Satellites[36] C3S
  CTS-SAT-1[37] CalgaryToSpace

References

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  1. ^ a b "Services". Momentus. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  2. ^ "Announcing Vigoride Extended". Momentus. 2019-04-24. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  3. ^ "Momentus signs in-space transportation pact". SpaceNews. 2019-02-06. Retrieved 2021-02-26.
  4. ^ "Investor Presentation December 2020" (PDF). p. 31. Retrieved January 27, 2021.
  5. ^ "Investor Presentation December 2020" (PDF). pp. 20–21. Retrieved January 27, 2020.
  6. ^ "United States of America Before the Securities and Exchange Commission" (PDF). www.sec.gov/litigation. Retrieved 22 July 2021.
  7. ^ "Momentus delays first Vigoride launch". SpaceNews. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-27.
  8. ^ 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.
  9. ^ "Momentus Launches First Demonstration Flight on SpaceX Falcon 9" (PDF).
  10. ^ "Announcing our latest service contract for Orbit NTNU". Momentus. 2021-01-07. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  11. ^ "Veery-FS1 FCC Narrative Description (REV A)".
  12. ^ "Momentus - Investor Presentation".
  13. ^ "Transporter 5".
  14. ^ "APPLICATION FOR SPECIAL TEMPORARY AUTHORITY" (PDF).
  15. ^ "Our latest service agreement for Singapore's Qosmosys". Momentus. 2021-01-21. Retrieved 2021-02-16.
  16. ^ "QONN8Q - A new way to experience space!". QONN8Q. Retrieved 2021-09-02.
  17. ^ "Momentus Lands Caltech Mission for its New Hosted Payload Service - Via Satellite -". Via Satellite. 2020-12-15. Retrieved 2021-02-12.
  18. ^ "Momentus Signs Launch Services Agreements With SpaceX". Momentus. 7 April 2022. Retrieved 8 April 2022.
  19. ^ "Momentus Announces 2022 Launch Services Agreement With Danish Students CubeSat Program". The Daily Times. Retrieved 2021-08-12.
  20. ^ "Momentus to Deploy Satellites in Custom Orbit for NASA LLITED Mission".
  21. ^ "Our Work with Astrogate Labs and ARCA Dynamics". Momentus. 2020-08-11. Retrieved 2021-01-28.
  22. ^ "Momentus Inc. VR-2 U". March 29, 2021.
  23. ^ "Momentus: Celebrating a Year of Progress with More to Come in 2023".
  24. ^ "Momentus Mission Update". BusinessWire. 5 December 2023. Retrieved 6 December 2023.
  25. ^ "Momentus to Fly JINJUSat-1 for CONTEC Co".
  26. ^ "Momentus Customers Integrated and Shipped to SpaceX Launch Site".
  27. ^ "Momentus Signs Contract with AVS for 2024 Orbital Delivery".
  28. ^ "Momentus Signs Launch Service Agreement with SpaceX".
  29. ^ "Momentus to Provide Delivery Service for Aarhus University Payload".
  30. ^ a b "Momentus to Deliver FOSSA Systems Next-Generation Satellites to Orbit".
  31. ^ Rainbow, Jason (6 June 2023). "Apogeo Space orders second space tug for connectivity constellation". SpaceNews. Retrieved 7 June 2023.
  32. ^ "Momentus Announces Service Agreement for Hosted Payload with LuxSpace".
  33. ^ "Triton-X".
  34. ^ a b "Momentus to Provide Delivery Service for RIDE! Space".
  35. ^ "Made In Space Europe and Momentus plan robotic spacecraft". SpaceNews. 2020-09-02. Retrieved 2021-01-29.
  36. ^ "Momentus Signs Contract for Orbital Delivery Services with C3S".
  37. ^ "Momentus Signs Contract with CalgaryToSpace for 2025 Orbital Delivery Services".