![]() ![]() If, and it must be emphasized this is a big if, things go according to plan, this is not some far off pipe dream. To accomplish that, they've purchased rides on SpaceX Falcon 9 missions. Rather, it must be launched into space by hitching a ride on a traditional rocket. In turn, that vehicle will take each satellite to its needed orbit. What Momentus does is allow multiple satellites to hitch a ride on their Vigoride vehicle. Booking your own launch on say, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, to accomplish that precise orbit is mighty expensive. You see, most satellites need highly precise orbits. In short, it aims to offer a ride sharing service for satellites. Momentus has developed what they call a space transfer vehicle. Understanding their technological niche for space Impossibly large next-generation structures will continue to pave new paths for even greater human development in space."įor 2035, they talk about asteroid and moon mining! Though before we get carried away, let's focus on the here and now. Space pioneer momentus stock full#"We aim to be able to provide a full range of infrastructure services in microgravity and deep vacuum, which will open the door to infinite manufacturing possibilities. This Santa Clara, California-based company states the following as their goal for 2025: Unlike Virgin Galactic, which is geared towards being a luxury travel provider, Momentus aspires to be a space infrastructure company for commercial endeavors. For leisurely travel, you won't ever find orbiting space hotels at this altitude. However, it’s useless for most industrial and commercial applications. Virgin Galactic’s altitude of only 50 or so miles does offer the advantage of a near zero gravity experience momentarily for passengers. Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) and Geosynchronous Earth Orbit ( GEO) are even higher. The International Space Station is within that range, at 254 miles (408 km). Even Low Earth Orbit ( LEO), which is the lowest elevation for satellites, is 100 to 1,250 miles (160 to 2,000 km). In order to launch satellites or orbit earth, you must reach substantially higher elevations than what Virgin Galactic does. While this all may a sound like arguing semantics, it’s not. Using a supra-thermal ion imager, the University of Calgary has determined it to be 73 miles (118 km). Technically, the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and space is even higher than the Kármán Line. That was mainly done to posthumously honor X-15 test pilots from the 50's and 60's, so they could officially be called astronauts. It wasn't until 2005 when NASA began recognizing only 50 miles up as being space. Virgin Galactic flights are at 50 to 55 miles (80 to 89 km) above sea level, which is well below the Kármán Line. As such, if you are below the Kármán Line, you will fall back to earth. The difference between the low pressure above the wing and the high pressure below is too trivial to create lift. At this altitude, the atmosphere is so thin that the flying of a conventional winged aircraft no longer works. This is a boundary that exists 62 miles (100 km) above mean sea level. The most universally agreed upon definition of space is what's known as the Kármán Line. However, they may or may not be a space company, depending on your definition of space. They’re more analogous to communications.ĭid I forget about Virgin Galactic? Of course not. Yes, you currently can buy Maxar Technologies ( MAXR), Orbcomm ( ORBC), SES ( OTCPK:SGBAF), and a dozen or so others, each of which focuses on space to a varying degree. They call themselves "the space infrastructure company" and one could argue they will be the first pure play space company in the public markets. While you can’t buy SpaceX, you soon may be able to buy one of their customers Momentus. Even in the private secondary market, it’s nearly impossible to get shares in the granddaddy of them all SpaceX. For space pure plays, there’s almost nothing in the public markets. There’s major thirst for this sector, which is yet to be created. Space is the ultimate fantasy and final frontier. ![]() What do you want to be when you grow up? At one time or another, odds are you dreamed of being a spaceman or woman. However, the longer term outlook is a complete gamble. Given the frothy nature of SPACs and the fact that Momentus will be an exciting one-of-a-kind public space company, I expect there to be near to intermediate term upside. Despite an already rich valuation near $2 billion at the deemed value of $10 per share, it will have a significantly lower market cap than Virgin Galactic ( SPCE) at $7 billion. Momentus ( NASDAQ: MNTS) is a pure-play space infrastructure company that is expected to go public via a SPAC, Stable Road Acquisition ( SRAC, NASDAQ: SRACU, SRACW), and it will trade under the ticker MNTS. ![]()
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