SANTA CLARA, Calif., June 16, 2020 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- Momentus (http://www.momentus.space), provider of in-space transportation services for satellites, and EnduroSat (http://www.endurosat.com), the European designer of spacecraft for business applications and space exploration missions, today announced two separate service agreements. The 6U and 1U CubeSats will launch February 2021 on the second Vigoride demo mission onboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The Shared Platform for Applied Research and Technology Affirmation (SPARTAN) is a 6U CubeSat that will carry a total of seven technology and commercial payloads on a single bus. This agreement marks the pilot new service mission for EnduroSat. By simplifying satellite technology, making it accessible and enabling shared missions in Low Earth orbit, the company aims to empower SMEs, universities and individuals to become active players in exploration and commercialization of space.
QMR-KWT is a 1U CubeSat intended to be Kuwait's first nanosatellite. The mission is funded by the Kuwaiti company Orbital Space in partnership with EnduroSat. The educational mission will allow students from around the world to learn more about satellite communications by writing software code to be uploaded and executed on one of the satellite's onboard computers in an out-of-this-world opportunity for students to Code in Space. This service agreement marks the first Middle East customer (indirectly) for Momentus.
SPARTAN is the first of several upcoming Shared Satellite Missions, which will open a new chapter for EnduroSat's commercial partners. The Shared Satellite Service includes integration, validation and testing, launch and operations of the satellite and all of the payloads. Direct access to the payload data is instantly available in the cloud via EnduroSat's own Digital Ground Station.
Shared Satellite Service in numbers:
- Average power per Unit: 4 W
- Peak power available: 250 W
- Downlink: up to 2 GB per payload per day
- Payload pointing accuracy: 0.1 deg
- Dedicated Payload Computer
"We are excited to be working with EnduroSat during this strategically important time," said Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Momentus. "This marks an expansion for Momentus both in Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, with a company of significant flight heritage."
"Our Shared Satellite Service will enable continuous improvement in space operations at a fraction of the current cost. The goal is to provide easy access to space for visionary entrepreneurs, scientists and technologists, helping them drive innovation at the final frontier, said Raycho Raychev, CEO of EnduroSat. "EnduroSat is proud to cooperate on this pilot mission with the team of Momentus, and we look forward to the next missions."
A graduate of the prestigious Y Combinator program and based in Santa Clara, California, Momentus announced a $25.5MM Series A raise last year, bringing total funding to nearly $50M. Momentus employs new and proprietary technologies, including water plasma propulsion to enable revolutionary low-cost orbital shuttle and charter services. The prototype of the Vigoride vehicle, "El Camino Real", was launched and tested last year. The first Vigoride test mission is planned for Q4 of 2020 on the SpaceX dedicated rideshare mission.
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 microwave 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 50 person team growing rapidly.
For more information visit http://www.momentus.space
About EnduroSat
Founded in 2015, EnduroSat designs, builds and delivers NanoSats systems and platforms for the global space market. The company has developed a unique software-driven NanoSat architecture, enabling shared missions in Low Earth orbit for commercial, science and exploration programs. Currently the company has a 45 person team. EnduroSat provides solutions to more than 90 global space customers and has accumulated significant flight heritage.
More information on: http://www.endurosat.com
SOURCE Momentus
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