Space Company Wins NASA Contract to Test Advanced Robotics Systems in Orbit
Momentus Completes Study for Autonomous Space Technologies, Positions for Larger Follow-On Mission
A commercial space company has secured a NASA contract to study how advanced robotic technologies could work in space, marking progress toward autonomous satellite operations and lunar missions. Momentus Inc. completed work under an initial contract and expects to submit a proposal to NASA for a follow-on mission that would demonstrate the cutting-edge technology in space.
"This win demonstrates our commitment to advancing space infrastructure by supporting innovative technologies that can transform how we operate in space."
John Rood, Momentus
The contract, awarded under NASA's Flight Opportunities program managed by the agency's Space Technology Mission Directorate, tasked Momentus to conduct a terrestrial study that explored options to fly advanced robotic systems in space aboard one of its upcoming orbital service vehicle flights. The technologies are designed to demonstrate autonomous robotic maneuvers and operations that could support future on-orbit servicing, debris mitigation, satellite assembly, and lunar surface operations.
NASA expects to award a contract in September and Momentus is one of two companies under evaluation for this larger contract for the follow-on mission planned by NASA. The study also included development of a commercialization plan to show that space robotics can be applied in commercially meaningful use cases at viable price points.
"This win demonstrates our commitment to advancing space infrastructure by supporting innovative technologies that can transform how we operate in space," said John Rood, CEO of Momentus. "We're honored to be entrusted by NASA to help mature these cutting-edge robotics systems. Space robotics is rapidly becoming a strategic capability that we expect to leverage in the future to support customers in the commercial and national security sectors."
The study designed a mission that leverages the Vigoride orbital service vehicle, Momentus' flagship spacecraft designed to transport and deploy payloads with precision. Vigoride is also used as a satellite bus with payloads for missions such as communications and missile tracking. A potential test flight could allow NASA and its partners to assess the performance of robotics systems in microgravity, paving the way for more complex autonomous operations in space.