Vigoride is a space tug developed and operated by Momentus Space. The total payload capacity that it can support to LEO is 750 kg. Vigoride is capable of changing orbital planes, inclination, and propelling spacecraft to up to 2 km/s. It also provides small satellite operators access to power, communications, and station keeping while with the tug. Momentus states that the cost is roughly $15,000 per kg depending on the exact customer specifications. Vigoride uses a microwave electrothermal thruster (MET) and water as the propellant. In 2019, the first test of the MET in space was completed and was deemed a success in a press release, while the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission accused it of misleading investors. The maiden launch was originally scheduled for January 2021, but was delayed due to Momentus not being able to receive FAA approval before the launch. On 22 March 2021, a Vigoride mock-up named Vigoride SC was launched in place of a functional Vigoride. In October 2020, the company stated that it had already booked 1.5 Vigorides out of the 3 planned to be launched in December 2021. On 25 May 2022, Momentus launched its first Vigoride spacecraft aboard SpaceX Transporter 5 mission.
Missions Past missions Mission NameSpacecraftDateLaunch VehiclePayloadCustomerOutcomeDemo 1Vigoride-325 May 2022 Falcon 9 Block 5 SelfieSatOrbit NTNU rowspan=3 Veery-FS1Care Weather FOSSASAT-2E x7FOSSA Systems (third party port) BRONCOSAT-1Cal Poly Pomona Demo 2 (Proximus Gradus)Vigoride-53 January 2023 Falcon 9 Block 5 ZEUS-1Qosmosys / NuSpace rowspan=2 SSPD-1 (hosted)CaltechTertio In OrbitaVigoride-615 April 2023 Falcon 9 Block 5 DISCO-1Aarhus University rowspan="8" IRIS-CNCKU LLITED-ANASA LLITED-B REVELAARCA Dynamics VIREOC3S SMPOD03 (hosted)ARCA Dynamics TApe Spring Solar Array (TASSA) (hosted)Momentus space?ISIL deployer11 November 2023 Falcon 9 Block 5 Gossamer Vendelinus (Picacho)Lunasonde rowspan="3" Jinjusat-1Contec Co. STORK-7 / AMAN-1SatRevolution Hello Test 1Hello Space rowspan="2" Hello Test 2
Upcoming missions +Mission Name Date Launch Vehicle PayloadCustomerVigoride-7 (SpaceX Transporter 16)NET February 2026 Falcon 9 Block 5 NOM4DDARPA RPO DemoAFRL Deke Space CommunicatorSolstar SpaceDelayed or Unassigned PayloadsNET 2025TBA DISCO-2Aarhus University PocketPod Deployer (8p)FOSSA Systems ZEUS-2Qosmosys / NuSpace HelloPodHello Space OreSat0.5Portland State University PiCo × 9Apogeo Space CLIP+ [FP002]FOSSA Systems Crypto-3ACryptosat Triton-X (hosted)LuxSpace GaindesatRide! Space Djibouti FOSSASAT FEROX x?FOSSA Systems Vigoride Robotic Arm Demo (Hosted Payload)Redwire (Made In Space) / Momentus Space Undisclosed SatellitesC3S
References