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 Xantus metal plasma thrusters were launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-10 rideshare mission on 2024-03-04.
Kent Frankovich is Vice President of Electric Propulsion at Benchmark Space Systems and leads the company’s metal plasma thruster development.
Benchmark acquired the metal plasma thruster technology from Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation less than 18 months before the Xantus launch on 2024-03-04.
Benchmark Space Systems’ first electric propulsion system in space launched aboard the SpaceX Transporter-10 rideshare mission.
Benchmark Space Systems is shipping more than 50 Xantus electric propulsion thrusters 2024.
Benchmark Space Systems’ previous mission launch in January 2023 did not deploy.
Benchmark’s propulsion platforms are designed to provide speed, endurance, precision maneuvering, and deorbit capabilities across multiple orbits and mission profiles.
Benchmark Space Systems is shipping dozens of Xantus MPTs 2024 to meet demand from commercial and government customers.
Benchmark’s Xantus metal plasma thrusters are planned to be used to deorbit Orion Space Solutions’ cubesat after mission objectives are met to support regulatory compliance and LEO sustainability.
Benchmark Space Systems’ Xantus metal plasma thrusters are designed to provide optimal station keeping for cubesats and microsats in the range of 5 to 250 kg and precision operations for ESPA-class satellites from 250 to 1,000 kg.
Benchmark Space announced on 2024-03-19 that its Xantus thruster is on the Electro-Optical/Infrared (EO/IR) Weather Systems (EWS) demonstration 12U cubesat built by Orion Space Solutions.
The earlier Xantus thruster that failed to deploy in January 2023 was built by Alameda Applied Science Corporation before its acquisition by Benchmark Space.
Benchmark Space obtained Xantus technology in its August 2022 acquisition of Alameda Applied Science Corporation.
Benchmark Space refined the Xantus design to make it easier to manufacture in large quantities, including improving the thruster software and fitting the thruster into a 1U form factor.
The Halcyon propulsion system from Benchmark Space Systems is developed for 6U through ESPA satellite operations, has a maximum firing time of 10,000 s per thruster, and a propellant mass of 0.66 kg per 1000 Ns impulse.
Ball Aerospace designed and built the Wide Field Instrument's opto-mechanical assembly, including the optical bench, element wheel, thermal control system, and alignment compensation mechanism.
The full Ariane 6 upper stage including the Vinci engine and a smaller Auxiliary Power Unit was tested on a purpose-built test bench at the German Aerospace Center DLR’s engine test center in Lampoldshausen, Germany.
Benchmark will deliver a preliminary design of a larger 100 Newton ASCENT thruster assembly in 2025.
Benchmark unveiled an Advanced Propellants Group led by Director Michael Martin, Ph.D.
Jake Teufert is Chief Technology Officer of Benchmark Space Systems and leads development of ASCENT thruster technology designed to provide high-thrust scalability for DoD dynamic space operations.