Momentus Wins $179,768 NASA Order for Robotic Resupply Design

Momentus has received a $179,768 NASA task order to formulate a robotic resupply concept, putting it among two teams seeking a later implementation award and flight opportunity.

NASA’s first Fly Foundational Robots (FFR) resupply effort is in its formulation stage. The work will map out mission operations, technical interfaces and system design. The order has $179,768 in obligations, and its current and potential award amounts are each $179,768. Work began Sept. 17, with a current end date of Nov. 5. Momentus announced the order Thursday, Oct. 22.

NASA expects to move one of two formulation teams into implementation, where it would fly the mission. The $179,768 task order covers Momentus’ earlier concept work and does not award it the flight.

The concept being studied would load a pallet of robotic payloads onto a dedicated spacecraft bound for the vehicle hosting the FFR arm. Once the two spacecraft dock, the arm would transfer the payloads to its host platform. NASA has not confirmed that design as the final mission architecture.

The proposed resupply work is separate from NASA’s existing FFR technology demonstration. The demonstration is slated to launch in late 2027 to test a commercial robotic arm in low Earth orbit. Astro Digital and Rocket Lab Robotics are among NASA’s partners on the demonstration.

The current demonstration will test the arm in orbit, while the proposed resupply mission would bring additional robotic payloads to the FFR platform. The task order covers development of the resupply concept; NASA’s later selection will determine which formulation participant advances to implementation and flight.

“This task order provides an opportunity for Momentus to demonstrate its capabilities in orbital transportation, spacecraft operations, and rendezvous mission design,” said John Rood, Momentus CEO.

The task order’s current end date is Nov. 5.