DiscoverAerospace Engineering PodcastPodcast Ep. #38 – Momentus is Developing a Transfer Vehicle for Space
Podcast Ep. #38 – Momentus is Developing a Transfer Vehicle for Space

Podcast Ep. #38 – Momentus is Developing a Transfer Vehicle for Space

Update: 2020-05-19
Share

Description

Alexander Wicks is the Chief Development Officer at the California-based startup Momentus Space. Momentus is developing the in-space equivalent of the connecting flight we all know from airline operations.

To affordably launch small satellites into orbit, operators and manufacturers of small satellites are generally forced to share a ride on one big rocket. This approach is economical, but has one major downside: not every satellite on the ride share can be launched into its ideal orbit. Momentus is developing the transfer vehicle that then allows a satellite to reach its customisable orbit 10 times cheaper than booking a dedicated launch on the first vehicle. This capability essentially allows the next generation of satellites to reach previously unreachable locations more efficiently and more inexpensively than before.

The transfer vehicle that Momentus is developing is powered by water plasma propulsion, and the same propulsion technology also opens the door to the next phase of space exploration. For example, missions into deep space, water prospecting and delivery throughout the solar system, in-space manufacturing, and space tourism. In this episode of the podcast you will learn about:

how Momentus got started
the need and benefits of Momentus' transfer vehicle
the principles of water plasma propulsion
and the types of missions the technology enables





This episode of the Aerospace Engineering Podcast is brought to you by my patrons on Patreon. Patreon is a way for me to receive regular donations from listeners whenever I release a new episode, and with the help of these generous donors I have been able to pay for much of the expenses, hosting and travels costs that accrue in the production of this podcast. If you would like to support the podcast as a patron, then head over to my Patreon page. There are multiple levels of support, but anything from $1 an episode is highly appreciated. Thank you for your support!



Selected Links from the Episode

Momentus Space webpage
The technology
Momentus helps launch 4K streaming service
Profiles in:

TechCrunch
Wall Street Journal
Forbes
Comments 
In Channel
loading
00:00
00:00
x

0.5x

0.8x

1.0x

1.25x

1.5x

2.0x

3.0x

Sleep Timer

Off

End of Episode

5 Minutes

10 Minutes

15 Minutes

30 Minutes

45 Minutes

60 Minutes

120 Minutes

Podcast Ep. #38 – Momentus is Developing a Transfer Vehicle for Space

Podcast Ep. #38 – Momentus is Developing a Transfer Vehicle for Space

Rainer Groh – Aerospace Engineer and Researcher