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Investing.com -- Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ: NASDAQ:MNTS) shares surged 30% following the announcement of an expanded contract with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) for in-orbit assembly of large structures in space, signaling increased confidence in the company’s capabilities and future prospects.
The contract, valued at approximately $3.5 million, is for Phase 3 of the DARPA Novel Orbital and Moon Manufacturing, Materials, and Mass-efficient Design (NOM4D) program. Momentus was initially awarded the NOM4D contract in April 2024 and has successfully completed the first two phases. This expansion underscores the company’s progress in the development of technologies critical for in-space construction and aligns with DARPA’s vision of manufacturing robust structures in orbit.
According to the press release, the mission, slated to launch on a SpaceX Transporter rideshare as soon as early 2026, will utilize the Momentus Vigoride Orbital Service Vehicle for the demonstration. The focus is on validating the functionality, performance, and reliability of in-space assembly payloads in the Low Earth Orbit (LEO) environment.
Momentus CEO John Rood expressed enthusiasm for the partnership with DARPA and the potential impact of cost-effective in-space assembly on future space operations. The company, which has also secured important contracts from NASA and the U.S. Space Development Agency in late 2024, sees this latest development as a significant step towards future growth.
The DARPA contract is expected to enhance Momentus’ position in the industry, as it demonstrates the company’s ability to support complex missions and potentially attract more government and commercial customers. The Vigoride vehicle is designed to offer cost-effective launch and delivery services for microsatellites and cubesats, as well as in-orbit operations for hosted payloads.
This announcement comes at a pivotal moment for Momentus, as the company continues to expand its presence in the space industry and diversify its customer base. The stock movement reflects investor optimism about the company’s trajectory and its role in the emerging market for in-space infrastructure services.
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