Momentus Launches Vigoride 7 Orbital Service Vehicle on SpaceX Transporter-16 Mission

The launch marks a major milestone for the company as it begins its most advanced on-orbit demonstration campaign to date.

Apr. 1, 2026 at 10:37am

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Momentus, a U.S. commercial space company, has successfully launched its Vigoride 7 Orbital Service Vehicle to low-Earth orbit aboard SpaceX's Transporter-16 mission. The Vigoride 7 spacecraft will conduct a series of in-space operations to test, validate, and showcase a suite of next-generation capabilities, including demonstrations of autonomous rendezvous and proximity operations, in-space assembly technologies, advanced communications systems, and high-performance onboard computing.

Why it matters

The technologies being demonstrated on the Vigoride 7 mission represent critical building blocks for the emerging space economy, as they will help shape the future of in-space logistics, autonomy, and infrastructure. The mission reflects the growing demand for flexible, responsive, and capable in-space services from both government and commercial partners.

The details

The Vigoride 7 spacecraft, integrated on a dedicated launch plate aboard the Falcon 9, will host and operate 10 government and commercial payloads over the course of the mission. These activities are being conducted under contracts with NASA, multiple U.S. Department of War organizations, and commercial partners, including approximately $4.2 million in contracts with DARPA and an approximately $1.9 million contract with SpaceWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force.

  • The Vigoride 7 mission was launched on April 1, 2026.

The players

Momentus

A U.S. commercial space company specializing in satellite technology, space transportation, and in-orbit services.

John Rood

The Chief Executive Officer of Momentus.

SpaceX

The private aerospace company that launched the Vigoride 7 spacecraft on its Transporter-16 mission.

DARPA

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, a U.S. Department of Defense organization that has contracted with Momentus for the Vigoride 7 mission.

SpaceWERX

The innovation arm of the U.S. Space Force, which has a contract with Momentus for the Vigoride 7 mission.

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What they’re saying

“Today's launch represents the culmination of extensive engineering, testing, and mission preparation by the Momentus team. Vigoride 7 carries one of the most diverse and technologically ambitious payload manifests we have ever flown. We're honored to support our government and commercial partners as they demonstrate capabilities that will help shape the future of in-space logistics, autonomy, and infrastructure.”

— John Rood, Chief Executive Officer, Momentus

“The technologies flying on Vigoride 7—from autonomous maneuvering to in-space assembly—represent critical building blocks for the emerging space economy. We're proud to work with DARPA, the Space Force, AFRL, NASA, and innovative commercial partners including Portal, Orbit Fab, CisLunar Industries, DPhi, Scout Space, and Solstar Space. Their missions reflect the growing demand for flexible, responsive, and capable in-space services.”

— John Rood, Chief Executive Officer, Momentus

What’s next

As previously announced, Vigoride 8, scheduled to launch early next year, is fully manifested, flying two complex payloads funded through the NASA Flight Opportunities Program out of Armstrong Flight Research Center.

The takeaway

The successful launch of Momentus' Vigoride 7 Orbital Service Vehicle represents a significant milestone in the company's efforts to develop and demonstrate advanced in-space capabilities that will support the growing demand for flexible, responsive, and capable services in the emerging space economy.