Momentus Inc. has signed a contract with FOSSA Systems, a Spanish company. This offers global low-power internet of things (IoT) connectivity and in-space services to provide hosted payload services starting in 2024. The contract also includes two options for additional hosted payloads.
The hosted payloads will complement FOSSA’s existing IoT satellite constellation with additional capacity and serve as a technology demonstrator platform independent of future satellite launches FOSSA has scheduled for 2024 and 2025.
Hosted payload support is a core Momentus offering that enables customers to focus on their payload’s objective while Momentus provides the on-orbit logistics needed to operate the payload. Integrated in Momentus’ hosted payload service offering is the supply of power, data, communications, and flexible configure-to-order options such as intersatellite communications, extended data storage, ultra-high precision pointing, and edge computing capability.
“Adding to our satellite platforms, we look to expand our way of hosting communications payloads by leveraging on existing launch opportunities, namely the Vigoride. We look forward to collaborating once again with Momentus,” says FOSSA chief executive officer Julian Fernandez.
“Momentus provided orbital delivery services to FOSSA on the inaugural mission of Vigoride in 2022 and most recently provided mission management and integration support for the launch of the FOSSASat FEROX satellite in June 2023,” says Momentus chief executive officer John Rood. “We’re pleased that FOSSA has selected Momentus again to support its growing needs and the innovation they are bringing to the market. They are a valued repeat customer and we’re always excited to help bring their ideas to life on orbit.”
Momentus is currently providing hosted payload services to Caltech for its Space Solar Power Demonstrator (SSPD). The SSPD launched on Vigoride-5 in January 2023. Caltech reports that its payload recently demonstrated its ability to wirelessly transmit power in space and to beam detectable power to Earth. Momentus will continue to provide hosted payload support to SSPD over the coming months as it continues its operations.
In addition to the Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle, Momentus is now also offering its M-1000 satellite bus which is based on space-proven Vigoride. The M-1000 bus offers an advantages to commercial and government customers such as its high power up to 3 kW of peak power large payload capacity, flexible configuration, speed from requirements to delivery on-orbit, and low cost. Momentus has offered the M-1000 satellite bus to both commercial constellation providers and to US Government.
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