Momentus joins DARPA's BRIDGES consortium to advance defense innovation
by Clarence Oxford
Los Angeles CA (SPX) Sep 16, 2024

Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS), a U.S. space infrastructure company, has been selected by the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Strategic Technology Office to join the Bringing Classified Innovation to Defense and Government Systems (BRIDGES) consortium. Through this consortium, Momentus will be sponsored for a facility clearance, allowing it to work directly with Department of Defense (DoD) customers on classified projects. The company's selection reflects its advanced technologies that align with the DoD's Space Superiority objectives.

Becoming part of the BRIDGES consortium will allow Momentus to enter the classified defense market, providing critical services to the DoD, military, and intelligence sectors. Once Momentus secures the necessary clearances, it will be able to conduct classified work at levels ranging from Secret to Top Secret (TS/SCI/SAP). The BRIDGES consortium focuses on fostering innovation in classified areas, helping companies like Momentus contribute to U.S. defense efforts.

Members of the BRIDGES consortium, including Momentus, will engage in regular discussions with Defense Department officials to align their expertise with military needs. Momentus will also have access to Sensitive Compartmented Information Facilities (SCIFs) managed by MITRE Corporation, where it can perform classified tasks.

"We're honored by the opportunity to collaborate with DARPA to work at the classified level to increase our nation's space superiority capabilities. We have the ability to significantly contribute to our nation's defense and look forward to doing so," said Momentus Chief Executive Officer John Rood. "Our technology portfolio is well-suited to this mission area, including our Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle due to its in-space proven maneuverability, flexible heavy/large payload capacity, top-end bus power, retractable solar array, and other attributes."

Momentus Collaborates with Lodestar Space on Robotic Arm for Vigoride
Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: MNTS) has also entered into a collaboration with Lodestar Space to integrate a modular robotic arm onto its Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV). This effort is supported by Lodestar's recent Pounds 800,000 grant from the United Kingdom Space Agency (UKSA) to develop a platform-agnostic robotic arm capable of performing dynamic space operations, such as asset inspection and repair.

Momentus will contribute by providing expertise on Rendezvous and Proximity Operations and Docking (RPOD), spacecraft operations, and mission execution. The collaboration seeks to advance the capabilities of in-space infrastructure for future robotic missions.

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