the Vigoride 3 vehicle by Momentus, before launch. Photo: Momentus

Momentus received a NASA contract to study to fly robotic systems onboard one of its upcoming orbital service vehicle flights.

Momentous announced this week it has completed a study under an initial contract and expects to submit a proposal to NASA to fly a follow-on mission that would demonstrate the technology in space. The study designed a mission with the company’s Vigoride orbital service vehicle, which is also used as a satellite bus. A potential test flight could allow NASA and its partners to assess the performance of robotics systems in microgravity. 

The robotics technologies are designed to demonstrate autonomous robotic maneuvers and operations that Momentus said could inform future on-orbit servicing, debris mitigation, satellite assembly, and lunar surface operations

The contract is under NASA’s Flight Opportunities program managed by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate. Momentus said it is one of two companies under evaluation for the larger contract for the follow-on mission planned by NASA.

“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. “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.”