Shares of Momentus Inc. (NASDAQ:MNTS) rose 19% on Wednesday following the announcement of a new commercial agreement to provide in-orbit services for the University of Colorado Boulder's Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP).
Under the contract, Momentus will host and operate LASP’s Occultation Wave Limb Sounder (OWLS) mission aboard its Vigoride-9 Orbital Service Vehicle (OSV). The mission is scheduled to launch in 2027 and will carry instruments designed to measure atmospheric density waves across altitudes from 100 to 400 kilometers through solar occultation techniques.
"We’re proud to support the OWLS mission demonstrating the versatile capabilities of our advanced technology combined with the flexibility of the orbital hosting infrastructure of our latest OSV, Vigoride-9," commented John Rood, Chief Executive Officer of Momentus.
Momentus said it will integrate and operate two OWLS instruments on Vigoride-9. The data the instruments are intended to produce is aimed at improving models of space weather, atmospheric drag and the operating environment for satellites in low Earth orbit.
The contract broadens Momentus’ commercial revenue mix for hosted payloads and in-orbit services across government, academic, technology and commercial customers. The company noted that its Vigoride-7 Orbital Service Vehicle, which launched in March, is currently meeting all mission objectives. Momentus added that the upcoming Vigoride-8 mission is fully booked supporting NASA and is scheduled to fly in 2027.
Momentus also indicated that Vigoride-9 still has capacity available for additional payload slots, leaving room for further commercial bookings on that mission.
Market reaction and company positioning
The stock move reflects investor response to the newly announced commercial engagement with an academic research customer. The arrangement reinforces Momentus’ role as a provider of hosted payload and in-orbit operating services and highlights the use of its Vigoride series of Orbital Service Vehicles to carry specialized instruments into low Earth orbit.
Context within the company’s recent activity
Momentus’ recent flight history and scheduled missions were cited alongside the LASP agreement: Vigoride-7 has launched and is achieving its objectives, while Vigoride-8 is already fully booked with NASA support and slated for a 2027 flight, the company said.