How Will This Partnership Enhance Satellite Design and Production?
Apr 25, 2025
American spaceflight company Momentus Inc. has signed a big deal with Velo3D to use the latter’s additive manufacturing technology to build space system components. According to Velo3D the deal is valued at around $15 million under the five-year master services agreement. The shift in space manufacturing approaches that this represents is a strategic one, among few companies that have attempted it at this scale.
A Velo3D Sapphire XC 3D printer promo. Photo: Velo3D
Through this partnership, Velo3D will offer consultation services and parts production from its newly created Rapid Production Solutions (RPS) offering. For the five-year period, Momentus has issued common stock and convertible preferred stock in exchange for these services. Through Momentus’ 10-K filing, the technological foundation for this manufacturing initiative has been established with the securing of capacity on two VLD Sapphire XC 3D metal printers or equivalent machines. An innovative way to finance future manufacturing capacities without significant initial capital investments is provided by this arrangement. This technology has been fully integrated by the company to develop an unprecedented commercial space sector application, creating lighter, stronger components that are more efficient and create less waste of materials than traditional manufacturing methods. High precision 3D printed parts could help with higher reliability and hence mission success.
Momentus’ CEO John Rood expressed that they are pleased to partner with Velo3D to leverage advanced manufacturing capabilities to enhance their ability to build better satellites and space systems. This innovative business approach, which strategically positions them in both manufacturing and component supply, is rarely seen in the space sector. An interesting provision in the Master Services Agreement allows Velo3D to offer its services to other customers if capacity is left unused by Momentus. Under this arrangement, the compensation Momentus will receive will depend on a formula equal to 20 percent of $3 million less service fees attributed to Momentus in the first year, and 50 percent of $3 million less service fees in each subsequent year. This feature represents a unique opportunity in the aerospace manufacturing field that could generate additional revenue streams beyond immediate component sales.
Founded in 2017 and headquartered in San Jose, California, Momentus Inc. has been providing space infrastructure services through electric propulsion-powered orbital tugs. The company went public via a SPAC merger in 2021 and conducted a demonstration mission aboard a Falcon 9 rocket in 2022, which yielded mixed results. Momentus initiated its first demonstration mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle during the Transporter-5 multi-payload ride-share launch. However, the Vigoride spacecraft faced several anomalies, including problems with solar panels that did not deploy and communication issues. Despite these difficulties, the spacecraft successfully deployed two FOSSA satellites on May 28, just three days post-launch, followed by the deployment of four additional FOSSA satellites from June to August. This partnership with Velo3D represents a new approach for Momentus to enhance its space transportation systems, combining Velo3D’s additive manufacturing technology with Momentus’ 3D-printed parts. The collaboration aims to develop new methods for component design and production for orbital applications, potentially influencing production techniques for space hardware.
