Momentus stated in its S-4 registration that El Camino Real produced data demonstrating the thruster system could produce thrust despite problems with a pump designed to send water into the thruster chamber.
Momentus claimed that its water plasma (microwave electro-thermal, MET) thrusters were successfully tested in 2019 on the experimental cubesat El Camino Real.
Momentus launched an experimental cubesat named El Camino Real in July 2019 to test its water plasma propulsion technology, also known as microwave electro-thermal (MET) thrusters.
El Camino Real failed to perform a single thruster firing lasting at least one minute and only three of 23 firings produced any plasma.
The prototype Vigoride vehicle named El Camino Real was launched and tested in 2019.