Queensland-based hybrid rocket company Gilmour Space Technologies has reached an agreement for launch and orbital transport services with Momentus Inc. – a commercial space company offering in-space infrastructure services.
Gilmour Space is a venture-backed rocket company that is developing new launch vehicles powered by lower-cost hybrid propulsion technologies.
The agreement provides Momentus with access to low inclination and equatorial orbits using Gilmour Space’s Eris launch services. In turn, Momentus’ Vigoride transportation service provides Gilmour Space with the capability to expand the flight domain of the Eris rockets – the company has several larger models planned coming to market beginning in 2023 – allowing constellation deployments and missions beyond low Earth orbit (LEO).
Gilmour Space CEO, Adam Gilmour, who is looking to raise a round of venture capital funding early next year, said 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.
“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,” Mr Gilmour said.
“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.”
Momentus’ CEO Mikhail Kokorich said Momentus was proud to announce another partnership with the Australian space industry, shortly after sealing an agreement to launch Skykraft’s satellite in 2021.
”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,” he concluded.
Gilmour Space will debut its Eris launch vehicle, which offers lift-off capability to LEO in the 300kg class, in 2022. A more capable variant, Eris Heavy, is intended to be commercially available in 2025 with a lift off capacity up to two tons.
According to the company, 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.
Image credit: https://momentus.space/
