Momentus , provider of in-space transportation services for satellites, and Astrogate Labs, a space technology startup from Bengaluru, developing optical communication terminals and a ground network for smallsats, announced a launch service agreement for a 3U satellite to Sun-synchronous orbit (SSO), to be launched in December 2021 on the second Vigoride commercial mission, as well as a 6U option. Astrogate Labs, founded in the Fall of 2017, is developing smallsat optical terminals and a network of small-aperture optical ground terminals for a full turn-key solution for satellite communication.
Astrogate will be demonstrating space-to-ground laser communications from its Optical Downlink terminal onboard the 3U satellite and has plans to further demonstrate space-to-space laser links with the 6U nanosatellite. Astrogate has long term plans to support the growing satellite downlink needs with a network of optical ground stations and in-space relays using the technologies developed in-house.
“We are enthused to partner with Momentus for our demo mission. The Vigoride space transportation vehicle with integrated nanosat deployers and the option to further adjust the injected orbit adds more flexibility to our mission” said Nitish K. Singh, CEO of Astrogate Labs
“India’s space sector is truly lifting off and we look forward to announcing more Indian customers,” said Mikhail Kokorich, CEO of Momentus. “We are proud to be working with Astrogate Labs and look forward to supporting them in the development of technologies for the next generation of communication networks, in space and on Earth.”
Momentus is a Space Transportation and Space Logistics company and a graduate of the prestigious Y Combinator program based in Silicon Valley. Momentus employs new and proprietary technologies, including water plasma propulsion to enable revolutionary low-cost orbital shuttle and charter services. Momentus has already demonstrated its core technology in space and is currently preparing for its next two customer test missions starting later this year.
