Case Study: Momentus achieves reliable propellant management for Vigoride with Quartus Engineering

Momentus flies Vigoride PMD with Quartus from launch to end of life

Momentus faced a challenge in designing a propulsion system for its Vigoride spacecraft that used low-pressure, atypically shaped propellant tanks. The key issue was ensuring the tank outlet remained submerged in liquid to prevent damaging vapor from reaching the thrusters. Quartus Engineering was engaged to provide a solution for this propellant management problem.

Quartus Engineering developed a gallery-type Propellant Management Device (PMD) for Momentus. The solution combined hand calculations with multi-phase Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) analysis to simulate surface tension effects in microgravity. This ensured pressurant was kept away from the outlet during all maneuvers. The tank and PMD design successfully flew on the Vigoride-3 mission, and a larger version developed by Quartus has successfully fired on the Vigoride-5 spacecraft, with the design slated for future missions.

Momentus