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Function | Space tug |
---|---|
Manufacturer | Momentus space |
Country of origin | United States |
Capacity | |
Payload to low Earth orbit | |
Mass | 750 kg (1,650 lb) |
Launch history | |
Status | Operational |
Total launches | 3 |
Success(es) | 2 |
Vigoride is a space tug developed and operated by Momentus Space.[1] The total payload capacity that it can support to LEO is 750 kg.[2][3] Vigoride is capable of changing orbital planes, inclination, and propelling spacecraft to up to 2 km/s. It also provides small satellite operators access to power, communications, and station keeping while with the tug.[1] Momentus states that the cost is roughly $15,000 per kg depending on the exact customer specifications.[4] Vigoride uses a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and water as the propellant. In 2019, the first test of the MET in space was completed and was deemed a success in a press release,[5] while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of misleading investors.[6] The maiden launch was originally scheduled for January 2021, but was delayed due to Momentus not being able to receive FAA approval before the launch.[7] On 22 March 2021, a Vigoride mock-up named Vigoride SC was launched in place of a functional Vigoride. In October 2020, the company stated that it had already booked 1.5 Vigorides out of the 3 planned to be launched in December 2021.[8] On 25 May 2022, Momentus launched its first Vigoride spacecraft aboard SpaceX Transporter 5 mission.[9]
Mission Name | Spacecraft | Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload | Customer | Outcome |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Demo 1 | Vigoride-3 | 25 May 2022 | ![]() |
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Orbit NTNU | Partial failure |
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Care Weather | |||||
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FOSSA Systems | |||||
(third party port)[12][13] | ![]() |
Cal Poly Pomona | Success | |||
Demo 2 (Proximus Gradus) | Vigoride-5 | 3 January 2023 | ![]() |
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Qosmosys / NuSpace | Success |
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Caltech | |||||
Tertio In Orbita | Vigoride-6[18] | 15 April 2023 | ![]() |
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Aarhus University | Success |
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NCKU | |||||
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NASA[20] | |||||
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ARCA Dynamics | |||||
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C3S | |||||
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ARCA Dynamics | |||||
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Momentus space | |||||
? | ISIL deployer | 11 November 2023 | ![]() |
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Lunasonde | Failure[24] |
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Contec Co. | |||||
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SatRevolution | |||||
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Hello Space | Success | ||||
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Mission Name | Date | Launch Vehicle | Payload | Customer |
---|---|---|---|---|
Vigoride-7 (SpaceX Transporter 16)[27] | NET February 2026 | ![]() |
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DARPA |
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AFRL | |||
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Solstar Space | |||
Delayed or Unassigned Payloads | NET 2025 | TBA | ![]() |
Aarhus University |
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FOSSA Systems | |||
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Qosmosys / NuSpace | |||
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Hello Space | |||
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Portland State University | |||
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Apogeo Space | |||
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FOSSA Systems | |||
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Cryptosat | |||
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LuxSpace | |||
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Ride! Space | |||
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FOSSA Systems | |||
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Redwire (Made In Space) / Momentus Space | |||
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C3S |