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 |
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]
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 |
Mission Name | Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload ( ~ = Picosatellite) | Customer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vigoride-7[27][28][29] | February 2024 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | HelloPod | Hello Space |
OreSat0.5 | Portland State University | |||
PiCo × 9[30] | Apogeo Space | |||
TROOP-F2[31] | Near Space Launch | |||
Waratah Seed WS-1[32] | University of Sydney | |||
WREN | C3S | |||
CLIP+ [FP002] | FOSSA Systems | |||
Crypto-3A | Cryptosat | |||
Triton-X (hosted)[33][34] | LuxSpace | |||
CUAVA-2[35] | University of Sydney | |||
Gaindesat[36] | Ride! Space | |||
Djibouti[36] | ||||
SOWA-1[37] | SatRevolution | |||
Vigoride-8[38] | June 2024 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | ~ FOSSASAT FEROX x?[39] | FOSSA Systems |
~ LUR-1[40] | AVS | |||
Vigoride-9[38] | October 2024 | Falcon 9 Block 5 | DISCO-2[41] | Aarhus University |
Vigoride[42][43] | NET 2024 | Eris | TBA | TBA |
Virgoride (Delayed or Unassigned Payloads) | NET 2024 | TBA | ~ PocketPod Deployer (8p)[39] | FOSSA Systems |
ZEUS-2 | Qosmosys / NuSpace | |||
Vigoride Robotic Arm Demo (Hosted Payload)[44] | Redwire (Made In Space) / Momentus Space | |||
NET 2025 | TBA | Undisclosed Satellites[45] | C3S |