LUXEMBOURG CITY, Luxembourg, 1 September, 2020 — Made In Space Europe S.à r.l. Made In Space Europe (MIS EU), a subsidiary of Redwire, and Momentus, provider of in-space transportation services for satellites, have recently finalized a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to develop a cooperative robotic spaceflight mission planned for 2022. The agreement covers mission development and validation efforts of the combined capabilities of Momentus’ Vigoride transfer vehicle and MIS EU robotic arms. A successful demonstration mission would provide flight heritage for key space commercialisation technologies.
“This demonstration mission will provide us with an understanding of how robotic arms can improve in-space transportation,” said Jaroslaw Jaworski, MIS EU General Manager. “We are looking to critically evaluate the viability of these two highly advanced, commercial technologies working within a fully integrated system.”
“Momentus Space is committed to providing unprecedented orbital transportation capabilities,” said Aaron Mitchell, VP of Product for Momentus Space. “This mission will enable us to enhance our innovative vehicles with cutting-edge space robotics to offer even greater capability and value to our growing customer base.”
This mission will consist of a Vigoride orbital transportation platform equipped with a MIS EU robotic arm, which will perform cooperative capture and manipulation of microsatellites. Momentus Space is the provider of the Vigoride spacecraft, and will serve as the mission integrator.
Due to COVID-19, the signing of the MoU was performed virtually in Luxembourg City, Luxembourg, and Santa Clara, California, USA.
Artistic concept art depicting a Made In Space Europe robotic arm fixed to a Momentus Vigoride spacecraft.
About Made In Space Europe: Made In Space Europe S.à r.l. (Made In Space Europe) develops space-robotics for the international aerospace market. The company is focused on space industrialisation, specialising in robotic arms for space applications. Made In Space Europe employs a team of experts in robotics and space to sustainably build off-Earth robotic capabilities to enable the future of space industrialisation. Made In Space Europe was founded in Luxembourg in 2019. For more information about Made In Space Europe, visit www.MadeInSpaceEurope.com.
About Momentus: Momentus is the first company providing in-space transportation services for satellites. The company was founded in 2017 in Santa Clara, CA. Momentus designs and builds transfer vehicles propelled by proprietary water plasma thrusters. The vehicles ferry satellites to a custom orbit after they are delivered by conventional rockets to their initial orbit. Momentus is a 70 person team growing rapidly.
About Redwire: Redwire is a new leader in mission critical space solutions and high reliability components for the next generation space economy. With decades of flight heritage combined with the agile and innovative culture of a commercial space platform, Redwire is uniquely positioned to assist its customers in solving the complex challenges of future space missions. For more information, please visit www.redwire.space.
