Momentus Inc. has delivered its Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV) to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California and has integrated the spacecraft with a launch plate in preparation for the SpaceX Transporter‑16 rideshare mission, which is scheduled to launch no earlier than late March 2026.
The Vigoride‑7 OSV will carry ten payloads, including U.S. government and commercial satellites, and will demonstrate the company’s water‑based Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET) propulsion system. The mission will also showcase autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations, in‑space assembly, advanced communications, and next‑generation onboard computing technologies.
Momentus has secured contracts worth approximately $4.2 million with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and about $1.9 million with SpaceWERX, in addition to agreements with NASA’s Johnson Space Center and Armstrong Flight Research Center. The company’s financial position remains tight, with short‑term obligations exceeding liquid assets and a stock price near a 52‑week low following a reverse split, underscoring the importance of this milestone for future revenue generation.
This delivery marks the first time Momentus has shipped a Vigoride OSV to a launch site, advancing its last‑mile satellite transportation strategy and positioning the company to win additional government and commercial contracts. The event is a critical step toward completing a full launch cycle and generating contract work, which is essential for the company’s survival and growth in a competitive orbital services market.
"The Vigoride 7 mission with many payloads has the potential to be a historic leap forward for in‑space logistics and autonomy capabilities needed for the growing space economy and military and government operations in space," said CEO John Rood. "Completing thermal and vibration testing is a critical milestone for Vigoride‑7. These campaigns validate that our spacecraft can withstand the demanding conditions of launch and the space environment, giving our customers confidence in mission success," added SVP Engineering and Operations Tom Malko.
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