By Sarah Cope | 2026-02-24

In early February, US-based commercial space startup Momentus finalized a partnership with NASA under a Space Act agreement, setting in motion a mission to revolutionize in-orbit servicing and assembly capabilities.

The Space Act empowers NASA to collaborate with private sector partners who can help advance program objectives. Momentus specializes in in-orbit infrastructure services.

In March, Momentus will deliver NASA’s R5 Spacecraft 10 (R5-S10) CubeSat to low Earth orbit, via a SpaceX rocket, to demonstrate joint rendezvous and proximity operations (RPO) and formation flying capabilities.

The partnership is seen as paving the way for more cost-effective commercial services in space, at scale, and as refining the autonomous operations needed to build, repair and upgrade structures in orbit.

RPOs are the process in which two spacecraft intentionally approach and maneuver near each other. The "rendezvous" part of the process involves bringing two spacecraft into close proximity with each other.

During the "proximity operations" phase, the spacecraft conduct close-range maneuvers with each other, for a variety of purposes, including inspection, refueling or docking.

RPOs can be cooperative, with each spacecraft sharing information; noncooperative, with one just one spacecraft active or responsive; and nonconsensual, in which one side is potentially attempting to gain intelligence.

An example of a nonconsensual RPO is the deployment, last June 28, of the previously unannounced Russian satellite Kosmos-2558, which flew in close proximity to the USA 326 reconnaissance satellite.

More recently, the United States has conducted cooperative RPOs with France and the United Kingdom as part of Operation Olympic Defender, a US-led space coalition that includes Australia, Canada, Germany and New Zealand.

The NASA/Momentus collaboration "will enable advanced cost-effective, scalable, and efficient space servicing solutions," Momentus said in a February 9 release.

"By demonstrating RPO, inter-satellite communication, and formation flying, this mission lays the foundation for a future where spacecraft operate with greater autonomy," the company said.

This is expected to usher in "a new era for in-orbit assembly, servicing, and deep-space exploration," it added.

Cutting-edge technology

During its upcoming demonstration, the NASA cubesat will serve as a free-flying imager for Momentus’s Vigoride 7 orbital service vehicle (OSV), providing in-flight inspection and imaging to assess the OSV's health and performance.

The cubesat will transfer large files to the Vigoride OSV for downlink to ground control, using Wi-Fi-based real-time space communication for inter-satellite data transmission.

The cubesat's mission is funded and managed by NASA’s Small Spacecraft Technology program, which focuses on the development of in-space assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) technologies.

ISAM is critical to extending the lifespan of existing spacecraft and enabling orbital assembly of advanced technologies through robotics.

The mission also intersects with military goals in space.

Momentus will execute a low-cost multispectral RPO sensor suite (LCMRS) demonstration for the Air Force Research Lab's SPACEWERX organization.

LCMRS is a cutting-edge sensor system that will enhance situational awareness, navigation, and debris management capabilities, empowering spacecraft to maneuver deftly through an increasingly crowded orbital environment.

Vigoride is set to launch aboard SpaceX’s Transporter 16 in March, carrying payloads for the US military, NASA, and commercial customers.

This is expected to demonstrate Momentus’s ability to deliver across multi-manifest missions, or those where multiple smaller payloads are launched aboard the same rocket.