California-based space logistics company Momentus has secured two new NASA contracts to demonstrate critical technologies for in-space manufacturing and electric propulsion. These awards mark a significant step in validating dual-use orbital infrastructure that could support both civil and defense applications in low Earth orbit (LEO) and beyond.
NASA Taps Momentus for Dual Tech Demonstrations
Under two separate Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contracts awarded by NASA’s Ames Research Center, Momentus will conduct flight demonstrations of two emerging technologies aboard its Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV). The first contract focuses on in-space manufacturing via a novel thermal vacuum chamber designed to operate in microgravity. The second supports testing of a next-generation Microwave Electrothermal Thruster (MET), a water-based electric propulsion system offering high specific impulse and operational flexibility.
Both demonstrations are slated for future Vigoride missions in low Earth orbit (LEO), leveraging the platform’s modular payload hosting capabilities. While the exact launch dates remain unannounced, Momentus has previously indicated plans to fly multiple missions throughout 2024–2025 using SpaceX rideshare launches.
In-Space Manufacturing Module Targets Microgravity Production
The first SBIR-funded project centers on an integrated thermal vacuum chamber designed to enable small-scale manufacturing experiments directly in orbit. Unlike traditional terrestrial vacuum chambers used to simulate space conditions on Earth, this flight demonstration will validate the chamber’s performance under real microgravity conditions.
This capability aligns with growing interest from both government agencies and commercial entities in establishing scalable orbital manufacturing infrastructure. Potential applications range from producing fiber optics and pharmaceuticals to precision alloys that benefit from the absence of gravity-driven convection or sedimentation.
According to Momentus CEO John Rood, “This technology demonstration will help us validate key systems that could one day support large-scale orbital fabrication facilities.” The company envisions future iterations of this module supporting autonomous or semi-autonomous production lines hosted aboard long-duration orbital platforms.
Microwave Electrothermal Thruster Aims at Efficient Propulsion
The second project will test a MET system that uses water as propellant — a safer and more abundant alternative to traditional xenon or hydrazine-based systems. METs work by converting microwave energy into heat that superheats water vapor into plasma, which is then expelled through a nozzle to generate thrust.
This approach offers several advantages:
- High Specific Impulse: METs can achieve Isp values exceeding 800 seconds — significantly higher than chemical thrusters.
- Non-toxic Propellant: Water is safe to handle pre-launch and can be sourced from lunar or asteroid mining in the long term.
- Simplified Logistics: Reduces ground handling risks and mission integration complexity.
If successful, this demonstration could pave the way for more sustainable satellite servicing missions or deep-space logistics architectures using water-based propulsion systems. It also dovetails with broader NASA goals around In-Space Servicing, Assembly and Manufacturing (ISAM) capabilities outlined by the agency’s Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD).
Vigoride Platform as Testbed for Dual-Use Technologies
The Vigoride OSV serves as both an orbital transfer vehicle (OTV) and hosted payload platform capable of supporting multiple customers simultaneously. With its modular design and onboard power/data interfaces, Vigoride is well-suited for technology maturation missions like those funded by these SBIR contracts.
The vehicle uses its own microwave electrothermal propulsion system — similar in concept to the one being tested — allowing it to maneuver between drop-off points or maintain position for extended hosting operations. Previous Vigoride missions have demonstrated payload deployment services for CubeSats as well as hosted experiments under commercial agreements with academic institutions and startups.
This dual-use capability positions Vigoride as a potential asset not only for civil science but also defense-related missions such as persistent ISR platforms or rapid-response satellite servicing architectures — areas gaining traction within U.S. Space Force planning circles under programs like Tactically Responsive Space (TacRS).
Strategic Implications for U.S. Space Infrastructure
The convergence of in-space manufacturing and sustainable propulsion technologies reflects broader strategic trends shaping U.S. space posture. As the Pentagon emphasizes resilience through distributed architectures and autonomous servicing capabilities, platforms like Vigoride could play a pivotal role in enabling responsive logistics chains across LEO or even cislunar environments.
Moreover, these demonstrations align with recent White House directives encouraging commercial partnerships under the National Cislunar Science & Technology Strategy released in 2022. By validating core technologies now via SBIR-funded flights, companies like Momentus are positioning themselves for future roles supporting government-led infrastructure such as lunar gateways or orbital fuel depots.
Outlook: From Demonstration to Deployment
If successful, both technology demonstrations could transition into Phase II/III SBIR efforts involving larger-scale deployments or integration into operational platforms. For example:
- The thermal vacuum chamber could evolve into an autonomous microfactory module hosted on commercial stations like Blue Origin’s Orbital Reef or Voyager’s Starlab concept.
- The MET system may be scaled up for use on larger spacecraft requiring efficient station-keeping or inter-orbital transfers without toxic propellants.
While technical hurdles remain — including power scaling limits for METs and thermal control challenges inside microgravity chambers — these early-stage flights represent critical risk reduction steps toward more ambitious goals like persistent orbital infrastructure or lunar surface support systems.
Conclusion
The dual NASA contracts awarded to Momentus underscore growing federal interest in maturing foundational space technologies through public-private collaboration. By leveraging its Vigoride platform as an agile testbed, Momentus aims not only to validate key subsystems but also shape future architectures where manufacturing and mobility are native capabilities of orbital assets — not afterthoughts bolted onto legacy satellites.
