Benchmark Space Systems provides in-space mobility solutions, combining propulsion products with advanced control systems and complementary products and services for the space industry.

Benchmark Space Systems

Benchmark Space Systems is a full life cycle in-space mobility provider, delivering products and partnerships from mission planning through decommission. Founded in 2017 to develop green propulsion technologies and bring flexible integrated solutions to the market, the team’s rapid growth and focus on the accessibility and sustainability of a democratized space domain has resulted in a product lineup of turn-key propulsion systems for 3U cubesat through ESPA and OTV class spacecraft in LEO, GEO, and beyond. Benchmark’s patented and proprietary innovations, including flight-proven systems, focus on eliminating customer pain-points and increasing asset value for unparalleled ROI. To explore how Benchmark can help improve your mission, from rapid orbit insertion to advanced RPO (Rendezvous and Proximity Operations) – visit www.BenchmarkSpaceSystems.com.

Vermont Seed Capital Fund

Hula

JHCapital

LaunchCapital

FreshTracks Capital

The Flying Object

Vermont Center for Emerging Technologies

Creative Destruction Lab (CDL)

Minnow Ventures

Thank you to our friends at Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat) for another incredible week in Logan, UT. Our team appreciates the opportunity to engage with our industry with the mountains as our backdrop amidst the vibrant, upbeat environment this event consistently offers. 
 
We kicked off the week with an exciting announcement about our latest partnership, expanding our broad range of in-space mobility product and service offerings (see our previous post for the press release). The Hall Effect Thruster developed by Starlight Engines, running on solid metal, was a hit, and the announcement became the #1 trending story on SpaceNews. At our booth we featured a multi-technology chemical + electric propulsion system, drawing crowds eager to check out our 4x 2 N 𝘓𝘺𝘯𝘹 thrusters paired with Starlight’s 𝘊𝘳𝘶𝘤𝘪𝘣𝘭𝘦 HET. Hybrid systems like this under a common control electronics interface will revolutionize the way we approach mobility and what is possible for satellites in orbit.

For the third year in a row, our Mobility Service made the rounds, transporting guests between the Conference after parties, as we distributed our popular “Controlled Re-Entry Kits” to assist with morning recovery.
 
We will miss our many years participating in the event at Utah State University, spending mornings prepping at our favorite local coffee shop and enjoying lunches under the big tent on the campus quad. We hosted over 30 meetings at our final booth in the Nelson Fieldhouse! We look forward to reimagining Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat) in Salt Lake City next year and continuing to grow our presence. See you then!

𝐏𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐑𝐄𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐒𝐄: 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐄𝐱𝐩𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐍𝐞𝐭𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐇𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐓𝐡𝐫𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐨 𝐀𝐮𝐠𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐌𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐞
 
Benchmark is proud to announce a strategic partnership with Starlight Engines, developer of a solid metal propellant Hall Effect Thruster that requires a fraction of the volume of gas-based HET systems. This is the latest in a series of collaborations that broaden Benchmark’s offering as a leading mobility solutions integrator, expanding the mission coverage of our in-house products and services with complementary technologies. 
 
Combining Benchmark’s heritage chemical propulsion with Starlight Engine’s Hall Effect system enables the implementation of a high-thrust and high-endurance mobility architecture that can be seamlessly integrated with our universal flight control electronics. The multi-technology system extends mission partner maneuverability capabilities with a turnkey platform designed for rapid deployment.

Read the full press release: 
 
https://lnkd.in/eek3fHvH

Our experienced team is ready to connect with you at Small Satellite Conference (SmallSat), August 5-8 in Utah. 

Visit us at Booth F148 to explore your mission requirements. Discover our turn-key solutions, combining organic and partnered chemical, electric, and emerging propulsion technologies. We lead the industry in expert propulsion integration, helping our mission partners reduce costs and pain points.
 
✨ Learn about our latest 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩 𝐚𝐧𝐧𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐧𝐭 and check out our new hardware display, making its debut at the Conference.

🚐 Back by popular demand, Benchmark's mobility capabilities land in Logan with our 𝐌𝐨𝐛𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐒𝐞𝐫𝐯𝐢𝐜𝐞. Catch our complimentary Sprinter van to and from the Conference after-parties on Tuesday and Wednesday. Visit our booth for details and a route map.
 
Team Members On-Site:
Christopher Carella, Chief Commercial Officer
Jake Teufert, Chief Technology Officer
Kevin DiMarzio, Director, Business Development
Laura Smith, Marketing Manager
Luke Vanstone, Business Development Manager, UK 
 
https://lnkd.in/e4fnmpEi

Rapid delivery of propulsion systems can be a critical factor for successful design, test, and integration of spacecraft. In 2022, Benchark acquired our first electric propulsion technology, 𝐗𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐮𝐬, that has a lead time from contract to delivery in less than 6 months.

Xantus is a metal plasma thruster that provides a mN level of thrust for numerous spacecraft applications including station keeping, precision pointing, and RPOD. This product provides a critical subsystem in a standardized, compact form factor with best-in-class performance in its size class.

The following technical paper was presented by Vice President, Electric Propulsion, Kent Frankovich, at the 3AF SPACE PROPULSION CONFERENCE  in Glasgow, Scotland. The paper details the rapid iteration process with support from NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with a design approach that is additive and iterative, with significant test gates to tease out and address potential failure modes.

Designed for low power applications, the system imparts momentum using inert, solid metal pucks as a propellant. The technology does not require gas or liquid propellants, neutralizers, heaters, high voltage electronics, high electric or magnetic fields to operate. The design itself needs no special manufacturing or high precision components, making it more easily scaled for higher production volumes. 

To learn more about the process and the technology, read the full paper:
https://lnkd.in/dc9-zzkh

We're excited to announce that Chuck Bush has joined Benchmark as our new Chief Financial Officer. Chuck comes on board at a crucial time as we enhance our manufacturing and testing capabilities, expand our partnerships and strategic initiatives, and fulfill numerous propulsion system contracts. 
 
Chuck brings a wealth of experience to the team, having raised capital for global entertainment companies and held key positions at JP Morgan before founding his own boutique investment bank and consulting firm. His entrepreneurial spirit and financial expertise make him a valuable addition to our team.  
 
“𝘞𝘦 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘦𝘭𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘯𝘢𝘮𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮 𝘢𝘴 𝘊𝘍𝘖 𝘢𝘵 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘷𝘰𝘵𝘢𝘭 𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬’𝘴 𝘨𝘳𝘰𝘸𝘵𝘩,” said Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark's CEO. “𝘈𝘴 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘢𝘤𝘩𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘺 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘢 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘳 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘮𝘰𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘢 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘱𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘯𝘦𝘳 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴, 𝘸𝘦 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘭𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘨𝘦 𝘊𝘩𝘶𝘤𝘬’𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘤 𝘧𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘪𝘢𝘭 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸-𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘩𝘦𝘭𝘱 𝘧𝘶𝘦𝘭 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘤𝘶𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘳𝘴’ 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘵𝘦𝘢𝘮’𝘴 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘥𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘺𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘤𝘰𝘮𝘦.” 
https://lnkd.in/dc_upQmN

Rapid iteration is a key methodology in bringing technologies to market for government and commercial use.
 
Thomas White, the engineer leading our research and development team responsible for upgrades to Benchmark’s flight-proven 22 Newton bipropellant “Ocelot”, recently documented the process of reimagining the thruster to improve performance. The rigorous testing process outlined in the following paper is an example of Benchmark’s distinctive approach to bringing products to market.
 
Read the full technical paper: 
 
https://lnkd.in/ezXc3kC3

It's incredible what we can achieve with our thermal vacuum chamber...

While we don't bake cookies in our TVAC chamber, we do optimize our testing process for major cost, schedule, and capability benefits. Connect with our expert team to discuss your mission requirements and discover how we can support you (cookies from our HR baking star, Emily G., not included...) 

https://lnkd.in/eJDwgVjb

Last week our team performed our first simultaneous bi-coastal hotfire testing from our Pleasanton, CA research & development facility and on our newly installed test stand at our east coast headquarters in Vermont. 

The west coast team tested our flight-proven, 22 Newton bipropellant “Ocelot” thruster, an attractive new solution set for in-space maneuverability and control for ESPA class, Orbit Transfer Vehicles, and re-entry missions.

Our east coast team tested our 2 Newton "Lynx" thruster, of which dozens will be produced this year for upcoming missions for space vehicles in the 50-500kg range.

Thank you to our veteran California hotfire team, and congratulations to our newly-minted Vermont hotfire cohort. This dual-capability, along with additional increased testing abilities at our headquarters, allows us to further streamline operations and reduce delivery timelines to our mission partners and continue our rigorous testing methodologies to deliver best-in-class propulsion technologies. 
 
Visit our website for additional technical details and hotfire images: https://lnkd.in/eQ3jjqqd

Pride Month may be winding down, but celebrating the diversity that propels us forward continues on year-round. #PrideMonth #SpaceForAll

Last week NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration announced their SBIR/STTR Phase I awardees, naming 𝐁𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐤 𝐭𝐨 𝐫𝐞𝐜𝐞𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐟𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐡𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐞𝐭𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦. 🚀 
 
Benchmark was selected to develop a preliminary design of a hybrid propulsion system inclusive of our flight-proven high-test peroxide (HTP) bipropellant subsystem (Halcyon Avant), advanced control electronics and SmartAIM™ GNC software layer, a partner-supplied electric propulsion system, and other commercial off-the-shelf subsystems. The multi-technology solution will be designed with a standard interface across spacecraft and launch vehicles to enable streamlined integration and standardized operation across any mission set.

This award validates the industry’s need for our universal integration approach of heritage propulsion systems and complementary technologies to augment existing solutions.

“𝘛𝘩𝘦 𝘷𝘢𝘭𝘶𝘦 𝘪𝘯 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯-𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪-𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘪𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘪𝘯 𝘮𝘢𝘹𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘦𝘧𝘧𝘪𝘤𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘺 𝘰𝘧 𝘢 𝘥𝘦𝘱𝘭𝘰𝘺𝘢𝘣𝘭𝘦 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘴𝘦 𝘭𝘰𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘴. 𝘈 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪-𝘮𝘰𝘥𝘦 𝘰𝘳 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪-𝘵𝘦𝘤𝘩𝘯𝘰𝘭𝘰𝘨𝘺 𝘴𝘰𝘭𝘶𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦𝘴 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘢𝘭 𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘦𝘶𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘤𝘢𝘱𝘢𝘣𝘪𝘭𝘪𝘵𝘺; 𝘰𝘧 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘉𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘮𝘢𝘳𝘬 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘦𝘹𝘱𝘦𝘳𝘪𝘦𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘱𝘵𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘻𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘣𝘶𝘭𝘬 𝘪𝘮𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘦𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘤𝘳𝘰𝘴𝘴 𝘮𝘶𝘭𝘵𝘪𝘱𝘭𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘶𝘭𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯 𝘴𝘶𝘣𝘴𝘺𝘴𝘵𝘦𝘮𝘴 𝘧𝘰𝘳 𝘢𝘥𝘷𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘥 𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴; 𝘸𝘩𝘪𝘤𝘩 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘯𝘦𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴𝘢𝘳𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘷𝘪𝘥𝘦 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘱𝘦𝘦𝘥, 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘶𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘤𝘦, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘧𝘢𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳 𝘳𝘦𝘲𝘶𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘢 𝘴𝘮𝘢𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘱𝘢𝘤𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘢𝘧𝘵 𝘵𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘴𝘧𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘨𝘦.” Kevin DiMarzio, Benchmark’s Director of Business Development
 
Read more about the award here: https://lnkd.in/evZFVhCb

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