Benchmark Space Systems, founded in 2017, is a full lifecycle in-space mobility provider that designs and builds propulsion systems for small satellites, offering solutions from mission planning through decommissioning. They provide turn-key chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems for various spacecraft, including CubeSats and OTVs, operating in LEO, GEO, and beyond. Benchmark's products and services support on-orbit services like life extension, collision avoidance, and orbit adjustments, partnering with organizations requiring in-space mobility solutions. They also integrate partner technologies to provide a comprehensive suite of mobility solutions.
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Benchmark’s Halcyon high-test peroxide (HTP)-based monopropellant system performed recent mission-critical maneuvers across three satellites as part of the Halcyon heritage campaign that reached orbit on Transporter 2.
Benchmark Space Systems is developing smaller scaled Halcyon Avant systems for commercial and government microsatellite missions with several configurations scheduled to be in space before the end of 2022.
Benchmark Space Systems doubled its size during the year to 40 employees across its Burlington, Vermont headquarters and a test site in California.
Benchmark Space Systems had seven missions using its thrusters in the pipeline for 2022 with the possibility of that growing to 10 to 15 missions as new commercial and government customers sign up.
Benchmark Space Systems plans to increase the Halcyon Avant system specific impulse to 315–320 seconds to make it best in class compared with existing systems.
Benchmark Space Systems’ propulsion product and services suite supports spacecraft ranging from 1U CubeSats through ESPA-class (1–500 kg) satellites, lunar landers, spent launcher stages, and orbital transfer vehicles.
Benchmark Space Systems completed hot fire engine tests of its Halcyon Avant non-toxic chemical propulsion system at its Pleasanton, California facility in November 2021.
Benchmark Space Systems announced on 2021-12-21 that the propulsion system for the Sherpa-LTC tug had been installed and fueled.
DARPA will choose some providers after phase 0 to continue into a 14-month phase to develop a bench-top model of the optical communications terminals.
Using Bluesky 0.125 m multispectral imagery, Gentian can benchmark the extent and quality of green roofs and identify potential properties for retrofit projects.
About a month after initial deployment and commissioning, Sherpa-LTC1 will use a bipropellant green propulsion subsystem from Benchmark Space Systems to maneuver to 500 km and deploy four additional cubesats.
An independent evaluation by the Cellular Telecommunications and Internet Association (CTIA) commissioned by the FCC found that Pinnacle 911 delivered ±3 m 94% of the time, exceeding the FCC’s 80% benchmark.
NIRSpec uses a highly athermal concept with all mirrors, mirror mounts, and the optical bench base plate made from Silicon Carbide Ceramic SiC 100®.
Benchmark Space Systems is working with the Air Force Research Laboratory and industry partners to develop a multimode electric-chemical engine that uses a common propellant tank.
Benchmark Space Systems offers the Halcyon Avant thruster that can operate with several types of fuel depending on the operation or satellite bus.
Accion Systems and Benchmark Space Systems had their first thrusters reach orbit on 2021-06-30 on satellites launched as rideshares on the SpaceX Transporter-2 flight.
The Locus Charter was publicly launched in March 2021 following a multi-year strategic partnership between the American Geographical Society’s EthicalGEO and the Benchmark Initiative hosted at Ordnance Survey’s Geovation.
Benchmark will debut a Halcyon system equipped with Orbit Fab’s RAFTI refueling kit aboard the SpaceX Transporter 2 rideshare mission scheduled for Friday, 2021-06-25 aboard a Falcon 9 rocket.
Benchmark partnered with Orbit Fab to launch mobile hydrogen-peroxide-based in-space refueling kits.
Benchmark’s scalable, launch-vehicle-agnostic propulsion products and services support spacecraft ranging from 1U CubeSats through ESPA-class (1–500 kg) satellites, lunar landers, spent launcher stages, and orbital transfer vehicles.