NASA selects Momentus for a five-year contract to enhance space operation technologies.

NASA selects Momentus for a five-year contract to enhance space operation technologies.
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Mar 07, 2024

Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS), a leader in the new field of in-space transportation services, has reportes its selection by NASA to receive a significant indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity (ID/IQ) base contract. This award positions Momentus as a pivotal player among 15 companies chosen to support the United States' space exploration and technology advancement efforts over the next five years. The contract's scope includes offering comprehensive flight and payload integration services designed to propel technologies and methodologies for space operations into a new era.

Under this prestigious contract, Momentus is tasked with facilitating the deployment of satellites, payloads, and scientific instruments. This will involve leveraging their in-space transportation capabilities, which include cutting-edge propulsion systems and orbital transfer capabilities. The significance of this collaboration cannot be overstated, as it underlines NASA's commitment to harnessing innovative private sector solutions to overcome the challenges of space exploration and utilization.

The Momentus Vigoride vehicle stands at the heart of their service offerings, boasting adaptable and dependable transportation solutions suitable for a broad spectrum of mission profiles across various orbits.

A notable aspect of Momentus' technology is its environmentally friendly water plasma thrusters, which present a safer alternative to traditional chemical propulsion systems. Additionally, the company's flexible solar arrays exemplify their forward-thinking approach, allowing for the efficient deployment and retraction of vital power generation capabilities in space.

John Rood, CEO of Momentus, expressed the company's honor in being selected for this "important opportunity to support the United States' efforts in space." This sentiment was echoed by Rob Schwarz, Momentus' Chief Technology Officer, who highlighted the company's anticipation of a close collaboration with NASA. Schwarz emphasized the team's eagerness to contribute to the success of NASA's ambitious space programs, signaling a future of innovative partnerships that could shape the trajectory of space exploration and technology development.

The contracts awarded under this program will be managed by NASA's Flight Opportunities program, in tandem with the Small Spacecraft Technology program. Both initiatives are integral components of the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, dedicated to fostering technological innovations that can enhance the United States' space exploration capabilities.

This partnership between Momentus and NASA represents a confluence of ambition, innovation, and the pursuit of technological advancements in space. As Momentus prepares to collaborate closely with NASA, the space industry watches with keen interest. The potential advancements in propulsion systems, orbital transfer capabilities, and payload integration services could redefine the parameters of space missions, making the exploration and utilization of space more efficient, safer, and environmentally sustainable.

Momentus' selection for this contract not only underscores the company's position as a leader in in-space transportation services but also reaffirms NASA's strategy of leveraging private sector ingenuity to accelerate the pace of space technology development.