Momentus Selected by U.S. Air Force for Space Demonstration of Rendezvous Using Low-Cost Multi-Spectral Sensor Suite

Rhea-AI Summary

Momentus (NASDAQ: MNTS) has been selected by the U.S. Air Force Research Labs AFWERX organization to demonstrate a new low-cost multispectral sensor suite for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) in space. The company will conduct this demonstration under a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project, following a competitive evaluation process.

The demonstration, planned for early 2026, will utilize Momentus' RPO system equipped with optical, infrared, and Lidar sensors to guide a space vehicle's approach to an uncharacterized client object. The mission will be launched on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission, which will also carry other Department of Defense and commercial payloads.

The project aims to reduce costs while maintaining operational safety for future in-space operations including satellite refueling, manufacturing, assembly, servicing, and debris removal. Momentus' Vigoride vehicle can support microsatellites up to 200 kg and provide power up to 1kW for missions in orbits above 500 km and below the International Space Station.

Positive

• Secured U.S. Air Force contract for space technology demonstration
• Additional capacity available for commercial customers on 2026 mission
• Demonstrates company's advancement in national security space sector

Negative

• Project completion not expected until early 2026
• Contract negotiations still pending

Insights

Aerospace Technology Analyst

The AFWERX selection marks a strategic milestone for Momentus, positioning the company at the forefront of critical space infrastructure development. This Phase II SBIR contract carries multiple significant implications:

The development of low-cost RPO sensors addresses a important market need, as current space rendezvous systems are typically expensive and complex. Success in this demonstration could position Momentus to capture a significant share of the rapidly growing in-orbit servicing market, projected to reach $12.4 billion by 2030.

Technical differentiation is notable through the integration of multiple sensor types (optical, infrared and Lidar) with machine vision algorithms. This comprehensive approach could provide Momentus with a competitive advantage in precision and reliability, essential for critical operations like satellite servicing and debris removal.

The planned SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission in 2026 demonstrates efficient resource utilization, as Momentus can generate additional revenue by offering remaining capacity to other customers. This showcases the company's ability to maximize mission economics while developing cutting-edge technology.

For investors, this represents three key value drivers:

• Validation of Momentus's technology by a prestigious military research organization
• Entry into the defense sector, potentially leading to future contracts
• Development of dual-use technology with both military and commercial applications

The focus on cost reduction while maintaining safety standards could be transformative for the space industry, potentially accelerating the commercialization of in-space services and creating new revenue streams for Momentus beyond traditional satellite deployment.

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS), a U.S. commercial space company offering satellite buses, technologies, transportation, and other in-space transportation services, today announced that the U.S. Air Force Research Labs AFWERX organization has selected a proposal from Momentus to perform an in-space demonstration flight of a new, low-cost suite of multispectral sensors for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO).

AFWERX is the innovation arm of the U.S. Air Force under the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL). AFWERX has been chartered to bring cutting-edge ingenuity from small businesses to address the most pressing challenges of the Air Force.

In 2024, Momentus submitted a proposal under the AFWERX Challenge and was recently formally notified that its proposal for a Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) project to perform a multi-spectral RPO demonstration was selected after evaluation in a competitive process. Momentus expects to complete contract negotiations shortly. This selection underscores Momentus' commitment to pioneering innovative solutions for national defense.

Under the SBIR project, Momentus plans to use a Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO) system it has developed using internal R&D funds and use an optical sensor, infrared sensor, and a Lidar sensor. (Lidar is a remote-sensing technology that uses laser beams to measure distances and movement in an environment.)

A flight demonstration in early 2026 is planned that will show the ability for low-cost RPO sensors to safely guide the approach and rendezvous of a space vehicle with a previously uncharacterized client object using machine vision algorithms and data fusion developed by Momentus. Reducing the cost while ensuring high operational safety for in-space rendezvous is a key enabling technology needed for the future of in-space refueling of satellites, manufacturing, assembly, servicing, and debris removal.

The rendezvous sensor demonstration for AFWERX will join other payloads, including from the Department of Defense and commercial customers, on a mission that Momentus has contracted with SpaceX to join a Transporter rideshare launch in early 2026.

For this mission, Momentus has additional capacity to support customers planning LEO deployment and hosted payload missions in early 2026. Government and commercial customers interested in utilizing the ability of the Vigoride vehicle to cost-effectively launch and deliver microsatellites up to 200 kg and cubesats, provide average power up to 1kW, and deploy or operate hosted payloads in orbits above 500 km and below the International Space Station are encouraged to contact Momentus while booking opportunities remain open at sales@momentusspace.com

“We’re thrilled to be selected to perform this in-space demonstration to support the U.S. Air Force with cutting-edge technology,” said Momentus Chief Executive Officer John Rood. "We’re at a key juncture in the development of technology to enable new operations in space that are critical to America’s security and commercial operations in space. We see this selection as an exceptional opportunity to continue Momentus technology leadership to support national security and new commercial activities."

About Momentus Inc.

Momentus is a U.S. commercial space company that offers commercial satellite buses and in-space infrastructure services including in-space transportation, hosted payloads, and other in-orbit services.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain statements which may constitute “forward-looking statements” for purposes of the federal securities laws. Forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the expected filing of the Company’s Form 10-K and Form 10-Q and its management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions or strategies regarding the future, projections, forecasts or other characterizations of future events or circumstances, including any underlying assumptions, and are not guarantees of future performance. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict and many of which are outside of Momentus’ control. Many factors could cause actual future events to differ materially from the forward-looking statements in this press release, including but not limited to risks and uncertainties included under the heading “Risk Factors” in the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by the Company on June 6, 2024, as amended by that certain Annual Report on Form 10-K/A filed by the Company on September 16, 2024, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Commission, accessible on the Commission’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at investors.momentus.space. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. Readers are cautioned not to put undue reliance on forward-looking statements, and, except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation and does not intend to update or revise these forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250204368391/en/

Investors: investors@momentus.space

Media: jason.garkey@momentusspace.com

Source: Momentus Inc.

FAQ

What is the value of the AFWERX contract awarded to Momentus (MNTS)?

The press release does not disclose the financial value of the AFWERX contract awarded to Momentus.

When will Momentus (MNTS) conduct the AFWERX space demonstration?

Momentus plans to conduct the space demonstration flight in early 2026 via a SpaceX Transporter rideshare mission.

What capabilities will Momentus (MNTS) demonstrate for the U.S. Air Force?

Momentus will demonstrate a low-cost multispectral sensor suite for Rendezvous and Proximity Operations (RPO), using optical, infrared, and Lidar sensors to guide space vehicle approaches.

What is the payload capacity of Momentus (MNTS) Vigoride vehicle?

The Vigoride vehicle can support microsatellites up to 200 kg and provide average power up to 1kW for missions above 500 km and below the International Space Station orbit.