Momentus Announces Service Agreement with Australia’s Skykraft and France’s MECANO ID to Deploy a Microsatellite Constellation Pathfinder
Momentus Inc. (“Momentus” or the “Company”), a commercial space company offering in-space satellite transportation and hosted payload services, today announced a launch service agreement for deploying Skykraft’s microsatellite on Vigoride’s mission in June 2021. Skykraft’s spacecraft is a pathfinder for a future large LEO constellation, and will be deployed via a new separation ring named EOS and developed by MECANO ID under a CNES contract thanks to the partial financing of the Future Investment Plan. The launch service agreement between Skykraft and Momentus provides for another microsatellite launch in late 2021, part of an accelerated demonstration program of four successive satellite iterations ahead of the launch of Skykraft’s Space Based Air Traffic Management constellation in 2023.
Skykraft is an Australian space company that specializes in the conceptualization, design, manufacturing and operations of smallsat constellations for the delivery of space-based global services. As a spin-off from the University of New South Wales Canberra’s Space Programme, Skykraft’s rapidly maturing foundation constellation is dedicated to space-based Air Traffic Management services. This constellation will provide continuous global coverage for aircraft at all altitudes, improving both the safety and efficiency of aircraft operations. Skykraft’s satellite will validate space-based VHF communication and demonstrate key technologies such as deployable antennas – paving the way for the 210-satellite Skykraft constellation poised to commence operations from 2023.
MECANO ID is a French company specialized in developing mechanical and thermal-dominated systems subjected to harsh environments, mainly dedicated to the space environment. Building on 25 years of successful space projects, MECANO ID is now developing the high-precision deployer EOS for nanosatellites and microsatellites. Characterized by light-weight and low-spin deployment, EOS offers unparalleled ease of integration and access thanks to its fully axisymmetric design and customizable interfaces. The June 2021 mission with Skykraft and Momentus constitutes the flight qualification for EOS and opens the door for commercialization.
“The Momentus Vigoride and MECANO ID EOS provide an efficient and flexible ride to orbit, allowing us to accelerate the development of our space-based service delivery constellation,” said Skykraft Chief Engineer Doug Griffin. “By enabling Skykraft to prove out key design features in the space environment, Momentus is helping us develop and evolve space-based services for the near future.”
“MECANO ID is proud to fly with Momentus on Vigoride, and to embark the Skykraft spacecraft for the demonstration flight of EOS, our deployer,” said Didier Zely, Product Line Manager at MECANO ID. Stéphane Galinier, Business Development Manager added: “MECANO ID selected MOMENTUS mainly for the technical maturity shown during our exchanges, despite the company’s young age.”
“Momentus is thrilled to announce our first launch service agreement with an Australian company. We have been amazed over the last year to observe the progress of the incredibly vibrant space community there, and look forward to support Skykraft with the launch of their pathfinder and subsequent constellation deployment,” said Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Momentus. Fred Kennedy, President of Momentus, further noted: “This agreement illustrates Momentus’ ability to operate across three continents and make newspace a truly global industry.”
About Momentus Inc.
As a first mover in building in-space transportation and infrastructure technology, Momentus is at the forefront of the commercialization of space. With an experienced team of aerospace, propulsion, and robotics engineers, Momentus has developed a cost-effective and energy efficient in-space transport system based on plasma water propulsion technology. Momentus has in-place service agreements with Lockheed Martin, NASA, and various other private satellite companies, government agencies, and research organizations, and its first Vigoride™ transport system launch is scheduled for December 2020.
For more information visit http://www.momentus.space
About Skykraft Pty Ltd
With a specialty in global spacecraft constellations, Skykraft Pty Ltd is a SmallSat design and manufacturing business that delivers commercially viable services to the end user. Skykraft’s foundation constellation, which is under rapid development, is for space-based Air Traffic Management services with operations commencing in 2023.
Skykraft’s capabilities include designing, building, testing and operating novel SmallSat constellations for a wide variety of applications, such as, Air Traffic Management, Defence (Tactical Data Links and secure satellite communications from LEO orbits), Internet of Things (IoT), maritime surveillance and border protection, agricultural monitoring and communications.
Constellations of affordable SmallSats open up many new applications that demand global, 24/7 coverage and the rapid delivery of data and services to the end user – anywhere, anytime.
For more information visit https://www.skykraft.com.au/
About MECANO ID
MECANO ID is a French company based in Toulouse, with 80 employees and over 25 years experience, mainly dedicated to spacecraft structures engineering, manufacturing and testing. Their experience in space subsystems development is strong and they have directly provided the European Spacecraft Prime constructors for years with the highest level of quality.
Press contact: Stéphane Galinier, +33 6 1505 1777, s.galinier@mecano-id.fr
For more information visit http://www.mecano-id.fr/en
