Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) has signed an agreement with Hello Space to carry a hosted payload of a demo deployer carrying four PocketQube satellites on the Vigoride-7 mission that is targeted to launch on the SpaceX Transporter-9 mission no earlier than October of 2023.
Hello Space is a satellite IoT service provider company capable of creating hardware and software for ‘PocketQube’ smallsats that measure 10x5x5 cm in size. The company is already a part of the Lora-Alliance network, a global alliance working toward creating a global standard for low-power, long-range, very wide-area IoT networks. The company’s deployer, named “Hello Pod” launching with Momentus, is a test product prior to the start of full-scale manufacturing operations. The deployer will carry four PocketQubes and marks the first tranche of an 80 satellite constellation set by Hello Space.
Momentus currently has three Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicles on-orbit. The company launched its inaugural mission, Vigoride-3, in May of 2022 and deployed eight satellites to orbit from Vigoride and a third-party deployer. The Vigoride-5 spacecraft, launched in January, is providing hosted payload support for Caltech’s Space-based Solar Power Project payload and deploying a satellite with the Qosmosys Zeus-1 payload. The Vigoride-5 mission also marked a significant milestone for the Company as the firm MET system successfully completed a series of in-space tests. Vigoride-6, launched in April of 2023, is carrying satellites for NASA and commercial customers and a solar array developed by Momentus that will be demo’d in space.
“The intersection of lower launch costs, Momentus’ ability to flexibly and cost-effectively carry and provide robust on-orbit services, and smarter small satellites is where opportunities and possibilities open up for customers. Our hosted payload service will provide Hello Space with the opportunity to focus their resources on their engineering and scientific objectives while entrusting us with their in-space logistics needs like power, data, and communication.“
— John Rood, Momentus Chief Executive Officer
“We initiated the design of our deployer in October 2022, and with Momentus, we’re looking to be on-orbit in October 2023. Their flexibility and speed were appealing, united with our scalable hi-tech satellite IoT services to offer. We are thrilled about the potential of this great collaboration.“
— Muzaffer Duysal, Hello Space Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer