Momentus’ Vigoride Vehicle Completes Thermal Vacuum Testing

Rhea-AI Summary

Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) has completed Thermal Vacuum Testing (TVAC) on its Vigoride vehicle, simulating space conditions in preparation for its inaugural mission. The company received NOAA approval to modify its Vigoride license, enhancing readiness for the mission targeted in June 2022. Vigoride is also set for vibration testing, the last phase before launch. CEO John Rood highlights the progress made since the company's public debut, emphasizing ongoing testing and licensing activities as part of the normal operational cadence.

Positive

• Successful completion of Thermal Vacuum Testing (TVAC) for Vigoride vehicle.
• NOAA approval for modification of Vigoride license enhances operational readiness.
• Next steps include vibration testing, crucial before launching the Vigoride vehicle.
• CEO commended the team's progress and normalization of pre-launch testing activities.

Negative

• Few test anomalies were reported during TVAC, indicating potential issues to address.

Company also receives NOAA approval of request to modify Vigoride license for inaugural spaceflight

SAN JOSE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) ("Momentus" or the "Company"), a U.S. commercial space company that plans to offer transportation and other in-space infrastructure services, recently completed Thermal Vacuum Testing (TVAC) on its Vigoride vehicle in preparation for its inaugural mission.

Thermal vacuum testing allows for the simulation of space conditions, including the temperature and altitude that the Vigoride spacecraft will experience during its mission. Momentus conducted TVAC at its facility in Santa Clara, Calif.

"The TVAC campaign put our Vigoride vehicle to the test in conditions that closely simulate the space environment," said Momentus Chief Technology Officer Rob Schwarz. "TVAC coupled with our testing of the avionics, propulsion, and software helps ensure that all Vigoride spacecraft systems are ready for operation in space."

The next steps for the team include conducting follow-on testing of specific vehicle components to address findings from the TVAC testing.

"We test to learn, push, advance our technology, and find anything to address prior to launch," said Schwarz. "The few test anomalies we experienced during TVAC, particularly for a development program, is a testament to the diligence of a talented team."

Vigoride is also undergoing preparation for vibration testing to verify that all systems are ready for the launch environment. Vibration testing is the final phase of the ground test campaign before the vehicle is shipped to the launch service provider for flight. As previously disclosed, Momentus is targeting its first Vigoride mission in June 2022 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle, pending receipt of appropriate government licensing. In preparation for the mission, on March 21, 2022, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Commercial Remote Sensing Regulatory Affairs (CRSRA) office approved a Momentus request to modify the Vigoride satellite system remote-sensing license.

"I'm very proud of the tremendous efforts put in by the entire team," said Momentus Chairman and CEO John Rood. "We're getting into a cadence that people with space experience will recognize and appreciate. That activities like pre-launch testing and working through licensing processes are becoming the norm for us illustrates the company's strides since going public last August."

About Momentus

Momentus is a U.S. commercial space company that plans to offer in-space infrastructure services, including in-space transportation, hosted payloads and in-orbit services. Momentus believes it can make new ways of operating in space possible with its planned in-space transfer and service vehicles that will be powered by an innovative water plasma-based propulsion system that is under development. The Company anticipates flying its first Vigoride vehicle to Low Earth Orbit on a third-party launch provider as early as June 2022, subject to receipt of appropriate government licenses and approvals.

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 Momentus’ or its management team’s expectations, hopes, beliefs, intentions, plans 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 events, performance or results. The words “may,” “will,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “continue,” “could,” “estimate,” “future,” “expect,” “intends,” “may,” “might,” “plan,” “possible,” “potential,” “aim,” “strive,” “predict,” “project,” “should,” “would” and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements, but the absence of these words does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based only on our current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of our business, future plans and strategies, projections, anticipated events and trends, the economy and other future conditions.

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 in the “Risk Factors” section of Momentus’ registration statement, as such factors may be updated from time to time in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), accessible on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov and the Investor Relations section of our website at investors.momentus.space. These filings identify and address other important risks and uncertainties that could cause the Company’s actual events and results to differ materially from those contained in the forward-looking statements. 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/20220324006071/en/

Investors

Darryl Genovesi at investors@momentus.space

Media

Jessica Pieczonka at press@momentus.space

Source: Momentus Inc.

FAQ

What recent testing has Momentus Inc. completed for the Vigoride vehicle?

Momentus Inc. has successfully completed Thermal Vacuum Testing (TVAC) on its Vigoride vehicle.

When is Momentus Inc. targeting its first Vigoride mission?

Momentus Inc. is targeting its first Vigoride mission for June 2022.

What approval did Momentus Inc. receive from NOAA?

Momentus Inc. received NOAA approval to modify the Vigoride satellite system remote-sensing license.

What is the next step after Thermal Vacuum Testing for Vigoride?

The next step is vibration testing to verify all systems are ready for the launch environment.

Who is the CEO of Momentus Inc. and what did he say regarding the team's efforts?

The CEO of Momentus Inc. is John Rood, who praised the team's efforts and progress in normalizing pre-launch activities.