A combination of solar power , microwave oven , and distilled body of water has cope to lift Momentus Space ’s Vigoride-5 spacecraft K of feet above its original cranial orbit , in what is a critical milestone for the California - free-base startup .
The orbital raise was made potential by the company ’s Microwave Electrothermal Thruster ( MET ) , which expend distilled body of water as propellant . Momentus said in a May 8press releasethat the MET system lift the company ’s Vigoride-5 orbital conveyance vehicle more than 1.86 miles ( 3 kilometers ) during the recent manifestation .
“ This initial orbital heave was a key end of our Vigoride-5 mission and the MET ’s performance has exceeded our expectations , ” Momentus Chief Technology Officer Rob Schwarz said in the release . “ Each ignition has been successful , and we ’ve dispatch more than 35 firings crop from 30 seconds up to six minutes in length , which is what we plan to habituate operationally . Cumulatively , we have attain over 140 minutes of fuel fourth dimension of the MET organisation . ”
Depiction of a Momentus Vigoride Orbital Transfer Vehicle in Earth orbit.Screenshot: Momentus Space
skyrocket do n’t always deliver satellite to their target area , require the use of space jerk to finish the job . Founded by Russian enterpriser Mikhail Kokorich , Momentus is seeking to allow this exact orbital transportation service of process , among other in - place infrastructure services , to paying customers .
For the latest demo , Momentus tested MET under shape needed for operational missions , including full power thrust and thrusts perform across the anticipated duration . The system operated as think , and the companionship now looks forward to “ using it to support commercial-grade and U.S. Government customer , ” pronounce Schwarz .
formal space tugboat employ skyrocket engines that rely on chemical reaction to ignite propellent . The MET system differs in that solar - power microwaves serve as the onboard vim source for generate the required hot plasma , heating the propellant to make poking .
The company says non - toxic water supply propellant results in simple , safer , and more cost - efficient operation , whether in Earth orbit or elsewhere , as water is promptly available on the Moon , asteroids , and other planets . What ’s more , MET “ can cater future delegation with gamey efficiency than chemic propulsion systems and higher drive than electric propulsion systems , ” Chris Kinman , Momentus chief commercial-grade policeman , explained in the wardrobe loss .
The company has launch three Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicles to quad in less than one yr . The inaugural mission , launched in May 2022,experienced multiple outcome shortly after launchbut still managed to deploy several lading . In January , Vigoride-5 launched to outer space via SpaceX ’s Transporter-6 smallsat rideshare mission , and is set to deploy the tinyQosmosys Zeus-1 satellite . Vigoride-6 , launched in April with payloads belonging to NASA and commercial-grade customers on board , and is still in the commissioning phase .
chastening : A old adaptation of this clause falsely state that Vigoride-5 had already deploy Zeus-1 , but that has yet to happen as of this placard .
For more spacefaring in your life , follow us onTwitterand bookmark Gizmodo ’s dedicatedSpaceflight Sir Frederick Handley Page .
Outer spaceSpacecraftSpaceflightSPACEX
Daily Newsletter
Get the best tech , science , and acculturation news in your inbox daily .
News from the future , delivered to your nowadays .
You May Also Like
