Momentus, a commercial space company offering in-space infrastructure services, and Gilmour Space Technologies have announced a new agreement for launch and orbital transport services.
Under the agreement, Momentus will gain access to low inclination and equatorial orbits using Gilmour Space’s Eris launch services. With Momentus’ Vigoride transportation service, Gilmour Space will have the capability to expand the flight domain of the Eris rockets (the company has several larger models coming to market beginning in 2023) and enable constellation deployments and missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO).
Gilmour Space has the option to book up to three Vigoride charter missions for orbital transfer services from Momentus over the 2023-2025 period, while Momentus will purchase one dedicated Eris launch service from an Australian launch site.
“Momentus is proud to announce another partnership with the Australian space industry, shortly after sealing an agreement to launch Skykraft’s satellite in 2021,” Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Momentus, said. “We are looking forward to supporting ambitious projects in partnership with Gilmour Space, such as flagship missions with the Australian Space Agency and development of sovereign space capabilities with the local industry.”
Gilmour Space’s Eris launch vehicle will debut its services in 2022 and offer lift-off capability to LEO in the 300kg class.
A more capable variant, Eris Heavy, is intended to be commercially available in 2025 with a lift off capacity up to two tonnes. The Eris family of launch vehicles will launch from Australian and international launch sites, offering access to low inclination as well as Sun-synchronous orbits.
“This is the first international contract we’ve announced this year, and a great example of how innovative companies are coming together to accelerate development and provide new access to space,” Gilmour Space CEO, Adam Gilmour said.
Gilmour is looking to raise a next round of venture capital funding early next year.
“With two rockets sold and a number of launches being negotiated now with other customers, I see this as further evidence that we can have a commercial space launch business in Australia,” Gilmour added.