Vigoride is a
space tug that is under development by
Momentus Space.
The total payload capacity that it can support to
LEO
Leo or Léo may refer to:
Acronyms
* Law enforcement officer
* Law enforcement organisation
* ''Louisville Eccentric Observer'', a free weekly newspaper in Louisville, Kentucky
* Michigan Department of Labor and Economic Opportunity
Arts an ...
is 750 kg. 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.
Momentus states that the cost is roughly $15,000 per kg depending on the exact customer specifications. Vigoride uses a
microwave electrothermal thruster Microwave electrothermal thruster, also known as MET, is a propulsion device that converts microwave energy (a type of electromagnetic radiation) into thermal (or heat) energy. These thrusters are predominantly used in spacecraft propulsion, more s ...
(MET) and water as the
propellant
A propellant (or propellent) is a mass that is expelled or expanded in such a way as to create a thrust or other motive force in accordance with Newton's third law of motion, and "propel" a vehicle, projectile, or fluid payload. In vehicles, the e ...
. In 2019, the first test of the MET in space was completed and was deemed a success in a press release, while the
U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of misleading investors. 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.
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. On 25 May 2022, Momentus launched its first Vigoride spacecraft aboard
SpaceX
Space Exploration Technologies Corp. (SpaceX) is an American spacecraft manufacturer, launcher, and a satellite communications corporation headquartered in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in 2002 by Elon Musk with the stated goal of ...
Transporter 5 mission.
Missions
Past missions
Upcoming missions
References
{{Orbital launches in 2023
Spacecraft launched in 2022
Spacecraft launched in 2023
Space tugs