Momentus to conduct multi sensor rendezvous trial with US Air Force

AFWERX serves as the Air Force's innovation hub and leverages expertise from small businesses to address critical Air Force needs. Under AFRL, AFWERX aims to fast-track emerging concepts and capabilities that support national defense and strategic objectives.

In 2024, Momentus submitted a proposal to AFWERX and recently learned that its Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project for a multispectral RPO demonstration had been chosen through a competitive review. The company expects to finalize contract details soon, underscoring its commitment to advanced defense technologies.

Momentus plans to utilize an internally developed RPO system featuring an optical imager, infrared device, and Lidar sensor under this SBIR effort. (Lidar measures distances and motion with laser pulses.) These components will work together to enable more precise navigation and close-approach maneuvers in space.

In early 2026, a demonstration is planned to showcase how these economical sensors can safely guide a spacecraft toward an unfamiliar target, using data fusion and machine-vision algorithms from Momentus. Achieving cost efficiency alongside robust safety standards is crucial for future refueling, manufacturing, servicing, and debris-removal missions in orbit.

This work for AFWERX will be part of a broader Momentus mission, scheduled on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare launch in early 2026, that will also carry Department of Defense and commercial payloads. By combining multiple payloads, Momentus aims to optimize launch services for diverse customers.

Momentus has additional capacity for clients requiring Low Earth Orbit deployment or hosted payload operations on this same 2026 mission. The company's Vigoride platform can ferry microsatellites up to 200 kg, offer average power near 1 kW, and deliver or operate hosted payloads above 500 km or just below the International Space Station. Interested government and commercial customers should contact Momentus at [email protected] while spots remain.

"We're thrilled to be selected to perform this in-space demonstration to support the U.S. Air Force with cutting-edge technology," said Momentus Chief Executive Officer John Rood. "We're at a key juncture in the development of technology to enable new operations in space that are critical to America's security and commercial operations in space. We see this selection as an exceptional opportunity to continue Momentus technology leadership to support national security and new commercial activities."