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HTS Market Projected to Reach $76 Billion as NGSO Constellations Reset Industry Benchmarks

On March 24, 2026, Novaspace released the 8th edition of its High Throughput Satellites (HTS) report, detailing a seismic shift in satellite communication economics driven by the rapid maturation of Non-Geostationary Orbit (NGSO) constellations. The study projects that HTS service revenues will more than double over the next decade, rising from just under $31 billion in 2025 to $76 billion by 2034.

This growth is anchored by a fundamental redistribution of market share. While NGSO systems accounted for 36% of service revenues in 2025, they are anticipated to capture 80% of total revenues by 2034. This transition marks the end of the “Capacity Era” and the beginning of a service-centric market where vertical integration and integrated user experience are the primary drivers of value.

The Starlink Effect and Capacity Economics

The report identifies Starlink as the primary catalyst for the industry’s current structural transformation. By combining lower-cost capacity—with pricing benchmarks now falling below $0.30 per GB—with rapid global scaling, the SpaceX-owned constellation has reset competitive thresholds for both commercial and government operators.

This massive influx of supply is reflected in global demand forecasts, which are set to reach 218 Terabits per second (Tbps) by 2034. Critically, NGSO systems are expected to supply 98% of this total capacity, forcing traditional Geostationary (GEO) operators to pivot their long-term infrastructure strategies.

GEO Adaptation: Flexibility and Sovereignty

To remain competitive in a market dominated by low-latency NGSO supply, GEO operators are shifting toward software-defined payloads and lower-CAPEX Small GEO platforms. These technologies allow operators to reallocate throughput dynamically to high-value areas like Aero IFC (In-Flight Connectivity) and Maritime Satcom, where GEO still maintains a significant role in hybrid network architectures.

Beyond pure economics, the report highlights that differentiation is increasingly tied to security and sovereignty. As geopolitical tensions rise, defense and government agencies are prioritizing resilient, mission-critical connectivity that utilizes novel spectrum and hardened network architectures. This trend is accelerating a 160% projected surge in defense-aligned satellite launches through the mid-2030s.

Executive Perspective

“Starlink’s impact has been catalytic,” said Dimitri Buchs, Managing Consultant at Novaspace. “The combination of lower-cost capacity, rapid scaling, and improved service quality has set new competitive thresholds. This shift is pushing the entire satcom ecosystem to innovate, differentiate, and redefine their strategic positioning. Operators that can combine scale with flexibility will be best positioned to capture this expanding market.”

The Terabit Era and Ecosystem Coordination

The transition to a 200+ Tbps market requires a higher degree of coordination across the space and terrestrial ecosystems. Novaspace underscores that success in the next decade will depend on multi-orbit interoperability and the adoption of converged network standards like 5G-NTN.

  • 2025–2027: High-growth focus on Land Mobility and tactical MilSatCom.
  • 2028–2030: Plateauing of laser terminal costs enabling broader NGSO democratization.
  • 2034 Target: HTS market maturation at $76 billion with NGSO-dominant supply chains.

The report concludes that the winners in this transformed landscape will be those that innovate at the terminal and user-experience layers, effectively blending satellite connectivity into a seamless global telecommunications fabric.

Benchmark awarded NASA Phase II SBIR to advance Aquila hybrid transfer stage for smallsats

Benchmark has been awarded a NASA Phase II Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract to advance development of the Aquila Small Spacecraft Transfer Stage (SSTS), a low-cost, small spacecraft compatible solution engineered for delivery of payloads to high-energy orbits, including lunar destinations.

Designed to bridge the accessibility gap between common launch insertion points and mission-critical orbits, Aquila combines Benchmark’s flight-proven, high-test peroxide (HTP) bipropellant propulsion with an electric Hall-Effect Thruster resulting in a versatile low-cost, scalable transfer stage. The platform integrates  proprietary control electronics, to deliver precise autonomous mobility in space.

The Aquila system is capable of delivering over 50 kg of payload to Low Lunar Orbit (LLO) from a circular Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and is reconfigurable to trade chemical for electric propulsion depending on mission needs, enabling flexibility in mass, volume, and delta-V profiles.

Most Aquila subsystems are already at Technology Readiness Levels (TRL) 6–9 or are commercially available off-the-shelf (COTS), streamlining the path toward critical design, qualification, and flight infusion by 2026/2027. The Phase II effort will mature Aquila to a flight-ready system architecture, complete with qualification planning, hardware-in-the-loop testing, and expanded mission design studies for beyond-Earth missions.

This milestone builds on Benchmark’s growing reputation as a leader in non-toxic space mobility, with a suite of heritage propulsion systems launched and over 100 thrusters delivered or on order.

Winning Phase II positions Aquila as a game-changer for small satellite missions requiring access to orbits previously dominated by larger, costlier spacecraft,” said Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark’s Chief Technology Officer. “By combining high-thrust and high-endurance technologies with a modular, launch-agnostic design, Aquila opens new doors for both commercial and government customers targeting destinations from GEO to the Moon.”

Pole Star Global sets new benchmark for Maritime connectivity with Iridium Certus® integration

Iridium Communications Inc. (Nasdaq: IRDM) has reported that Pole Star Global has fully integrated Iridium Certus®with their Podium™ platform—a unified maritime intelligence solution supporting a broad range of mission-critical capabilities.

This powerful integration streamlines support for Long-Range Identification and Tracking (LRIT), Ship Security Alert System (SSAS), commercial vessel tracking, and data connectivity— all within a single, versatile environment. 

With Iridium Certus enabling resilient, global connectivity, Podium delivers uninterrupted situational awareness and actionable intelligence to support regulatory compliance, operational performance, risk mitigation, and emissions optimization—empowering maritime stakeholders to make smarter decisions, anywhere in the world. Using Iridium’s global satellite network, Podium5 delivers data from ships, shore, engine and environments, generating immediate, powerful and profitable outcomes for the modern fleet. 

With Iridium Certus, Pole Star’s tracking and alerting capabilities provide simple, cost-efficient, and unmatched global coverage to the maritime industry. By integrating multiple regulated services into one system, Pole Star and Iridium streamline compliance, enhance cybersecurity and physical safety, and help future-proof vessel operations. The service is especially valuable for fleets operating in high-risk, remote, or polar regions, where other satellite systems often fail to deliver dependable connectivity.

Powered primarily through the Lars Thrane LT-4200S terminal, Pole Star’s Iridium Certus integrated solution will also be available in terminals from Cobham, Intellian and Thales. 

Lars Thrane LT-4200S terminal

By integrating Iridium Certus into our global tracking and compliance framework, we’re delivering unprecedented flexibility and resilience to our customers operating in every ocean,” said Ross Martin, Managing Director of Shipping & Offshore, Polestar Global. “This is especially critical for operators in high-risk zones or bandwidth-challenged environments where traditional coverage falls short.”

Embedded into the fabric of global maritime trade, Pole Star Global plays an essential role in providing vessel tracking, monitoring, and safety solutions, especially through their Podium5 solution,” said Wouter Deknopper, Vice President and General Manager of Maritime, Iridium. “By integrating Iridium Certus, they are strengthening their maritime intelligence to further protect vessels, people, and investments.” 

Benchmark expands partnership network with Starlight Hall Thruster

Benchmark Space Systems has engaged in a strategic partnership with Starlight Engines, a Hall Effect Thruster provider, to further meet the imminent need for interoperable, multi-technology hybrid propulsion systems in a new era of dynamic space operations.

Benchmark will offer Starlight’s Hall Effect Thruster (HET) to extend mission coverage to include high-endurance, or high-specific impulse operations for spacecraft up through 1000 kg, as part of its diverse portfolio of chemical and electric propulsion systems that can be seamlessly integrated with its universal flight control electronics to extend mission maneuverability capabilities with a turnkey platform designed for rapid deployment.

The tightly integrated, low SWaP hybrid propulsion system enables mission designers and operators to efficiently plan and execute complex, high-delta V missions efficiently without sacrificing rapid mobility capabilities that are increasingly important in commercial and government operational sustainment.

Starlight HETs are pre-fueled with zinc propellant, which frees up enough volume, compared with typical xenon, krypton, or argon systems, to add Benchmark’s non-toxic chemical thrusters in the same sized package. The result? An additional 15-25% total impulse or mission range, at 50-100 times the thrust of the electric side of the system, to extend mission endurance and add agility for space traffic management and dynamic space operations. This multi-technology integration will also enable transfers to high energy orbits and in-space services.

Benchmark’s MAAVRIC (Modular Adaptive AVionics for Rapid Integration & Configuration) universal control electronics allows mission operators to pair Benchmark and proven partner propulsion systems with a common interface, which greatly reduces integration costs and lead times, and enables seamless dynamic space operations across mission sets and mobility system configurations.

The avionics package, enhanced by SmartAIM™ advanced onboard propulsion control software, is being considered by a growing number of missions and operators deploying Benchmark thrusters and propulsion systems. Benchmark plans to continue adding key partnerships aboard its common interface, including alliances with Attitude Determination and Control System (ADCS), Space Situational Awareness (SSA), chemical propulsion, electric propulsion, and service providers.

“As the premier space mobility solutions integrator, Benchmark Space Systems is developing and aggregating the most reliable and relevant mission-ready propulsion systems and solutions through strategic multi-entity partnerships. We are laser focused on offering a full technology stack that delivers on our commitment to space sustainability and our motto of Mobility Without Compromise,” said Chris Carella, Benchmark’s Chief Commercial Officer. “These exciting propulsion and technology partnerships are a powerful example of how our open, universal integration platform combines available and innovative technologies and advancements to fulfill robust and sustained space maneuver requirements for both government and commercial missions in space. Technology partnerships like this one between Benchmark and Starlight underlines the enabling power of leveraging complementary, non-traditional and commercial innovations to enhance current operational capabilities and offer a real edge to government and commercial initiatives.”

“Benchmark’s leadership and engineering teams have been supportive of our approach to electric propulsion since our founding. We look forward to providing superior electric propulsion systems and expertise for Benchmark’s mobility solutions portfolio,” said Todd Bailey, Starlight Engines CEO. “We cannot think of a better partner to lead hybrid propulsion integration efforts. This relationship leverages our complementary strengths to meet the demand for Hall Effect and hybrid propulsion capabilities across commercial and government markets.”

“Now that rival nations are launching satellites with ambiguous intent, we’d like to move around and look at many things in the geosynchronous sphere as much as we possibly can,” said Ret. U.S. Space Force Lieutenant General John Shaw. “Not having freedom to maneuver is constraining us in a significant way, and it’s not enabling us to do Dynamic Space Operations the way we’d like.”

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Benchmark electric propulsion thrusters on-orbit + poised for 1st firing

Benchmark demo’d adaptive control at various power levels, enabling delivery of consistent, sustained thrust, as measured at NASA Glenn Research Center.

Benchmark Space Systems has revealed the firm’s Xantus™ electric propulsion system has successfully deployed and will undergo subsystem health check and operational verification, including a range of firing modes, aboard mission prime Orion Space Solutions’ 12U cubesat in LEO.

Benchmark’s first electric propulsion system in space, launched aboard the SpaceX Transporter-10 rideshare mission, is tasked with end-to-end mission operations for Orion Space Solutions’ satellite as it supports the demonstration of cloud and weather data mapping for potential, future, military operations. Once the mission objectives are met, the Xantus metal plasma thrusters will be used to deorbit the spacecraft, a critical capability for regulatory compliance and the sustainability of LEO infrastructure.

Based on the early mission milestone, Benchmark is greenlighting shipments of dozens of Xantus MPTs to meet the pent-up demand for proven electric and hybrid propulsion systems among commercial and government operations. Of the 50-plus Xantus EP thrusters being shipped this year, Orion has baselined units in upcoming missions — at least ten will go to UK-based In-Space Missions, a wholly owned subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, among several, smallsat builders and operators that are integrating Xantus MPTs into electric and hybrid propulsion configurations for upcoming missions.

Multiple satellite and mission operators that need to go fast, station keep, and make precision maneuvers in space, are evaluating Benchmark’s hybrid duo of Xantus EP thrusters and Halcyon non-toxic chemical propulsion systems, which unlock expanded dynamic operations for 12U to ~200kg spacecraft that are often limited by a single technology, compromising mission capability and value.

Xantus can use just about any metal as fuel, with direct thrust data using molybdenum, magnesium, copper and stainless steel (potentially harvested from existing space debris).

The production Xantus metal plasma thrusters are baselined to run on the metal molybdenum, which offers the best combination of properties and efficient thrust generation among a variety of metal propellants tested in trials (also copper, stainless steel, aluminum, and magnesium). The MPTs are designed to ultimately run on metals that can be harvested in space, including spent space vehicle materials and orbital debris.

Early operations and telemetry will be used to validate the Xantus EP system’s thrust across several power levels and other key capabilities, which boost mission readiness and assurance levels realized during third-party testing at NASA’s Glenn Research Center in Ohio and at Benchmark’s Research and Development facility in Pleasanton, California.

The milestone debut of Benchmark’s electric propulsion system in space comes less than 18 months after the company acquired the metal plasma thruster technology from Alameda Applied Sciences Corporation and follows a previous mission launch in January 2023 that did not deploy.

The Xantus electric propulsion system, with its innovative MPTs, is one key element of Benchmark’s full in-space mobility strategy and market-leading lineup of propulsion systems and solutions. The company offers electric, green chemical, and hybrid platforms designed to provide speed, endurance, precision maneuvering, and deorbit capabilities to meet the fast-growing demand for dynamic and sustainable space operations across multiple orbits and mission profiles

Xantus launched aboard SpaceX’s Transporter-10 rideshare mission on March 4, 2024.

“The Benchmark team is thrilled that our Xantus electric propulsion system and metal plasma thrusters are supporting this important mission for Orion Space and the US Government,” said Chris Carella, Chief Commercial Officer for Benchmark Space Systems. “Our government and commercial mission partners around the world have closely followed this historic first, as our Xantus metal plasma thrusters demonstrate their capabilities in space. Our partners have been preparing for space with our software and engineering development units (SDUs/EDUs), and they’re excited to soon be receiving shipments of flight units to close on their own missions in the months ahead.”

“Our Xantus MPTs are designed to provide optimal station keeping for most cubesats, microsats in the range of 5 to 250 kilograms, and precision operations for ESPA-class satellites from 250 to 1000 kilograms. That’s a wide sweet spot, and we look forward to enabling dozens of upcoming missions to fly using what promises to be an extremely valuable electric propulsion tool in LEO, MEO, and GEO,” said Kent Frankovich, Benchmark’s Vice President of Electric Propulsion, who is leading the company’s metal plasma thruster development.

Benchmark Space Systems wins 2nd AFRL contract for new thrusters testing

Benchmark unveils new propellants group, advances ASCENT as non-toxic,
viable alternative to hydrazine

Benchmark Space Systems has received a two-year, $2.81 million Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) SPRINT (Space Propulsion Research and Innovation for Neutralizing Satellite Threats) award to further develop and test flight-optimized thrusters running on ASCENT (Advanced Spacecraft Energetic Non-Toxic) fuel.

Benchmark Space Systems and AFRL are unleashing ASCENT as a viable, safer, green propellant for defense and government missions.

This is Benchmark’s second SPRINT award in two years, after the company successfully demo’d a prototype thruster burning the (AFRL) developed, Advanced Space Craft Energetic Non-Toxic (ASCENT) monopropellant without the use of a catalyst bed. The milestone trials opened the door to ASCENT as an affordable, viable alternative for a broad range of on-orbit mobility and tactical missions in space.

Benchmark’s collaborative work with AFRL and the U.S. Government is a model example of how the company thoroughly vets the safety and optimizes performance of propellant for use in space, such as the flight-proven high-test peroxide (HTP), bi-propellant running the company’s Halcyon product line. Benchmark propellant innovations also include the inert non-toxic powder fueling its Starling systems, and a variety of readily and domestically sourced metals to feed its Electric Propulsion offerings.

Halycon Chemical Propulsion System.

Benchmark’s propellants team will continue to screen and solve inherent propellant challenges, including hurdles posed by LMP-103, nitrous oxide, water, and other fledgling propellants that have shown promise for specific mission types.

Benchmark’s expertise and stringent development and test regimen has led to a growing thruster and propellants lineup that is well positioned to power a wide range of government and commercial missions.

As part of this new AFRL-funded program, Benchmark is building a flight-like, 22 Newton thruster to perform advanced ASCENT, hot-fire demos and will also deliver a preliminary design of a larger, 100 Newton thruster assembly in 2025, with the goal of meeting overall demand for scaled, ASCENT-fueled, spacecraft in the 10-500 Newton range.

Benchmark also unveiled the company’s new Advanced Propellants Group, led by Director Michael Martin, PhD, who has spearheaded much of the ASCENT thruster prototype development and testing, both at Benchmark’s technology center in Pleasanton, California, and labs at Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas. The new team will build on Benchmark’s overall mission to explore and test a broad range of greener propellants for its growing suite of proven non-toxic chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems.

“Benchmark has developed a novel ASCENT thruster technology that provides the high-thrust scalability to make ASCENT a viable propellant across the full necessary performance range of DoD’s current and future dynamic space operations. This next two-and-a-half-years of ASCENT thruster prototype development and testing under the SPRINT program will ultimately enable the refinement and scale of storable monopropellant systems and operations to support immediate off-the-shelf availability for rapid deployment defense missions.” — Jake Teufert, Benchmark Space Systems Chief Technology Officer

“Our expertise in non-toxic propulsion systems and testing means Benchmark is well positioned to provide thrust to a wide range of government and commercial spacecraft on low Earth orbit, lunar, and cislunar missions. We are non-toxic propulsion professionals who will open the door even wider for ASCENT usage, as we also explore bringing in other underutilized and promising green chemical, electric and hybrid technologies to power the space economy.” — Michael Martin, Ph.D. and Director of Benchmark’s Advanced Propellants Group

Benchmark raises million$$ + moves to new HQ with world-class test + mfg. capabilities

Benchmark Space Systems has raised $33 million in Series B funding and has moved the firm’s headquarters to facilities that feature state-of-the-art testing systems plus 4x manufacturing capacity.

The funding round will enable the company to intensify new innovations and accelerate the strategic transition from R&D to production to meet growing demand for non-toxic propulsion systems.

Benchmark’s new HQ enables the company to scale manufacturing and cut production times with unprecedented in-house capabilities that include quality, performance and testing for new mission profiles.

The 40,000 square foot, Vermont-based facility features full end-to-end delivery capability from engineering through test and integration, including hot fire chambers, vibration tables, thermal vacuum chambers and lean production flow lines housed in ISO 7 clean-room environments. The advanced systems and expanded space will enable enhanced onsite team collaboration, predictable quality and visibility across all phases of program delivery for Benchmark’s complete product line of 1 milli-newton to 500 newton chemical and electric thrusters and propulsion systems.

This new facility enables a key objective for Benchmark to vertically integrate quality control, production, test and integration under one roof as a key enabler to scaling its delivery quality and on-time performance for the company’s mission partners.

The company is on the verge of delivering the first key shipments of all three product lines from the new facility to government and commercial customers this quarter. Benchmark’s operations leadership team estimates production will reach up to one-thousand thrusters per year on the new manufacturing lines.

Delivering on lead times at a consistent and high quality level is critical to support satellite operator manufacturing goals. The company estimates the new facility will improve lead times more than 30%, as the company dramatically cuts testing and production timeframes with new end-to-end, internal test and manufacturing capabilities.

The company is laser focused on providing non-toxic chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems capable of enabling in-space mobility and the emerging space economy. Benchmark is currently fulfilling contracts for dozens of its new Xantus metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), with some on the verge of playing a key role in upcoming in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demonstration missions.

Benchmark combines the electric metal plasma thrusters with its high-test peroxide (HTP)-powered chemical propulsion systems to provide satellite and mission operators with go-fast and precision mobility capabilities in a non-toxic hybrid solution capable of enabling everything from station keeping and pointing of mesh networks to collision avoidance maneuvers. The company is producing hundreds of its 2N Lynx bi-propellant (HTP + fuel) thrusters this year to meet increasing demand for low Earth orbit (LEO) and cislunar missions.

Benchmark continues to innovate and collaborate in the assessment and thoughtful development of new propellants to meet both technical and geopolitical requirements, especially in support of government operations. The accessibility of HTP and the team’s proven ability to rapidly integrate and deploy new high-thrust, long burn duration engines are playing key roles in enabling the emerging space economy.

“Many of our mission partners are scaling to build dozens or hundreds of satellites per year. With this move we will be able to leverage multiple dedicated assembly lines and develop a mature supply chain to consistently produce quality systems at scale, including our Xantus metal plasma thruster and Halcyon Avant and Starling Ardent chemical propulsion systems.” — Ryan McDevitt, CEO, Benchmark

“Benchmark has become a trusted and proven propulsion partner and innovator across the space industry, and our new headquarters operation, with in-house production and testing capabilities, enables us to build on that trust and deliver on our commitment to meet growing demand. We’ve eliminated the need to ship thrusters and teams to specialized test and manufacturing facilities throughout the country for weeks at a time. As a result, we have greatly simplified and streamlined our operating and production model, which allows us to boost our agility and ability to support customers with even faster speeds to market for tailored and rapid deployment thrusters and propulsion systems.” — Wesley Grove, Chief Operations Officer, Benchmark

“Benchmark has transitioned to a new level of production and space mobility capabilities that allows our teams to serve more of the propulsion market with confidence that our standardized, specialized, and new thruster lines will be ready to go when our customers need them,” said . “With a pareto of market demand, and this operational transition in-phase, we can now inventory common subsystems and maintain our lead time advantage, as well as expand our mission planning services with hardware-in-loop and digital twin simulations. The result is our consistent ability to ensure our propulsion systems deliver the quality and performance necessary for highly critical and tailored operations in space.” — Chris Carella, Chief Commercial Officer, Benchmark

Benchmark unveils 1st autopilot for satellites + engages in new partnership with Kayhan Space

With operational smallsat constellations scaling fast, and regulatory controls for sustainability quickly emerging, Benchmark Space Systems has announced the commercial launch of the first-ever, driver assist, control system capable of managing highly precise, satellite maneuvers and travel through increasingly congested space.

The category-defining, propulsion solution, called SmartAIM™ (Smart Advanced In-Space Mobility), features an onboard software control solution embedded in Benchmark’s non-toxic chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems. Having a more intelligent and integrated mobility solution extends the guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) capability of any spacecraft to offer unprecedented tiers of autonomous flight – ranging from assisted ‘cruise control’ for station keeping and payload pointing to full-blown maneuver planning and execution for collision avoidance.

SmartAIM™ is now available in Benchmark’s common control system across product lines and will reduce operational costs and lead times associated with mission planning and system integration.

Benchmark also announced a strategic partnership with Kayhan Space to integrate the company’s Pathfinder spaceflight safety service with the SmartAIM™ platform. Pathfinder’s capabilities for optimized maneuver planning and autonomous space traffic coordination provide a unique and complementary offering when paired with Benchmark’s SmartAIM™ propulsion solution. This alliance will ultimately drive the full value of SmartAIM™ for collision avoidance and sustainable space operations. Benchmark plans to add Kayhan and other SSA companies to its extensive network of partners with complementary technology and services.

Benchmark has designed, developed, and thoroughly tested its SmartAIM™ intelligent propulsion offering, in part with funding and R&D support from the Air Force Research Lab (AFRL), and expects the first SmartAIM™-assisted flights to launch in 2024. The cooperative effort among Benchmark’s commercial and government partners has focused on eliminating the laborious, iterative manual satellite control functions, which have become cost prohibitive and unmanageable for many operators as their constellations dramatically scale.

Benchmark’s SmartAIM™ intelligent guidance, navigation and control solution runs on multiple streams of real-time data, from onboard sensors and data relays, that provide vivid situational awareness. The low-latency information feeds and onboard processing include the state of the propulsion system and satellite, where it’s been, where it’s headed, and efficient travel routes around potential issues or threats nearby or on the horizon.

The company expects the first SmartAIM™ systems to launch next year, beginning with collision avoidance and station keeping capabilities in space. The company’s technology roadmap includes next-generation features, which include advanced operator-assist and autopilot functions, in the late 2024 through 2025 timeframe.

Established propulsion providers are at an advantage when developing GNC capabilities. The integration goes beyond hypotheticals and is designed with the detailed specificities of existing avionics and propulsion systems for maximum optimization. By working in unison with additional effectors like momentum wheels, torque rods, and ACS thrusters – the GNC framework is designed for optimizing each maneuver, whether that be for power conditions, fuel preservation, or speed.

The company is laser focused on providing non-toxic chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion systems capable of enabling in-space mobility and the emerging space economy. Benchmark is currently fulfilling contracts for dozens of its new Xantus electric metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), with some on the verge of playing a key role in upcoming in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demonstration missions.

The company is also producing hundreds of its 2N Lynx bi-propellant (HTP + fuel) thrusters this year to meet increasing demand for LEO and cislunar missions. The intelligent maneuver control enabled by SmartAIM™ is being considered by a growing number of missions and operators deploying Benchmark thrusters and propulsion systems.

“The Low Earth Orbit ecosystem is not sustainable without driver assist technologies like SmartAIM™. Benchmark is in full production mode on propulsion systems for several government and commercial missions. Operators are not just looking to Benchmark to provide propulsion hardware, but a full life cycle partnership and innovative bundled mobility solutions to maneuver safely and confidently through space. Large constellations aren’t technically or economically feasible in today’s busy orbits if they’re being controlled with traditional manual and multi-step procedures. SmartAIM™ makes watching over constellations of dozens to hundreds of satellites far more manageable and sustainable. The operational equivalent of falling asleep at the wheel could lead to a Kessler scenario that wipes out a trillion-dollar global infrastructure.” — Chris Carella, Chief Commercial Officer for Benchmark Space Systems

“The game-changing benefits of having SmartAIM™ tightly integrated with Benchmark’s propulsion systems, the host spacecraft resources, and additional effectors, aids in scalability, performance efficiency and sustainability, and operator peace of mind. Operators can lean on Benchmark’s unrivaled propulsion expertise and not get bogged down with the technical details needed for scalable mobility operations in space. The efficiency of the driver-assist and autopilot modes enable operators to get a lot more mileage out of their propulsion systems – driving up mission sustainability while reducing overhead.” — Jeff Gibson, Head of Engineering, Benchmark

“The Kayhan Space mission is all about empowering satellite operators with the information and streamlined autonomous capabilities they need to safely and efficiently navigate through an increasingly congested space environment. We are thrilled to partner with Benchmark Space Systems and integrate with their SmartAIM™ intelligent propulsion solution to maximize safe and sustainable space operations.” — Siamak Hesar, Co-Founder and CEO, Kayhan Space

Benchmark Space Systems fires up metal plasma + bi-prop thruster production + realigns executive team

Benchmark’s Metal Plasma Thruster fires all four engines in sequence during vacuum chamber tests

Benchmark Space Systems has signed contracts for nearly two dozen, new, electric metal plasma thrusters (MPTs), with some set to play a key role in upcoming, unnamed, in-space servicing, assembly and manufacturing (ISAM) satellite docking demo missions.

The bulk of Benchmark’s first MPT orders will be delivered this year, signaling intensifying demand for hybrid propulsion capabilities aboard commercial and government missions in space. Just six months into the acquisition of Alameda Applied Sciences Corp.’s AASC’s MPT technology, Benchmark has adapted the unique electric propulsion system to meet a broad range of in-space mission applications, including ISAM, refueling, and precision docking and spacecraft inspections.

Benchmark managed highly successful, test chamber firings of the company’s metal plasma thrusters with a variety of metal propellants as well as hot fire tests of the 2 Newton Lynx thruster in preparation for a range of chemical, electric and hybrid powered missions.

Engineer Matt Walton has led the development of the Lynx thruster, a smaller-scaled version of the space-proven 22 Newton ‘Ocelot’. As the Ocelot thrusters perform critical, orbit raising operations in space, the smaller Lynx is being readied for 2023 production deliveries through a robust qualification campaign at Benchmark’s Pleasanton, California, facility.

Benchmark combines the electric metal plasma thrusters with its high-test peroxide (HTP)-powered, chemical propulsion systems to provide satellite and mission operators with go-fast and precision mobility capabilities in a non-toxic, hybrid solution that is capable of enabling everything from station keeping and pointing of mesh networks to collision avoidance maneuvers. The company plans to produce at least 200 of its Lynx bi-propellant (HTP + fuel) thrusters this year to meet increasing demand for LEO and cislunar missions.

“Benchmark is seeing huge demand for our chemical and hybrid propulsion systems for a variety of missions and maneuvers, including a significant increase in the number of collision avoidance moves satellite operators must make due to growing traffic in busy orbits,” said Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark Space Systems CEO. “Operators no longer have to choose between electric or chemical propulsion and possibly compromise their ultimate mission objectives. Benchmark hybrid offers mobility without compromise.”

Chris Carella

Benchmark also announced the realignment of key members of its senior executive team, naming Chris Carella to Chief Commercial Officer, following his highly successful stint as Executive Vice President of Business Development and Strategy. Carella, who joined Benchmark in 2018, will lead Benchmark’s sales, marketing, and mission concepts teams, with a high-level focus on organizational growth and long-term strategic capabilities, product roadmaps and partnerships.

“We are going to explore everything that advances our non-toxic propulsion portfolio,” said Carella. “And we are thrilled to see the commercial and government markets respond so enthusiastically to Benchmark’s cutting-edge solutions, innovations and leadership with contracts that are already redefining in-space mobility in support of critical missions.”

Jake Teufert

Other key appointments include Jake Teufert, named Chief Technology Officer after serving most recently as Benchmark’s Chief Engineer and leading the development and readiness of the company’s green propulsion technologies. Teufert joined Benchmark in 2020 with the acquisition of Tesseract Space, a company he co-founded in 2017.

Matt Shea

Benchmark Co-Founder Matt Shea is heading up product design and development as Chief Product Officer. Shea’s new role comes at a time when the company is transitioning from development to large scale commercial production and product rollouts, featuring design reuse across propulsion platforms that enables rapid system concept development-to delivery capabilities and deployments.

Wesley Grove

Wesley Grove has been named Chief Operations Officer following his previous role as Senior Operations Manager. Grove will continue to play an integral role in Benchmark’s strategic facilities and manufacturing expansions in the U.S. and UK, where the company is developing and delivering tailored and rapid deployment thrusters and propulsion systems for commercial and defense operations in space.

Carella also introduced Kevin DiMarzio as Benchmark’s new Director of Business Development. DiMarzio most recently served in executive roles with Redwire Space and Made in Space.

Benchmark Space Systems grows nearly tripling their team and expanding production to meet propulsion system demand

With its Halcyon propulsion systems playing pivotal roles in key military and commercial space missions this year, Benchmark Space Systems announced it has tripled its team from 30 to 83 and boosted its 5-year production capacity to one-thousand engines — all in the last twelve months to meet rapidly rising demand for its mission-proven thrusters.

Benchmark has booked more than 250 engine orders, with the majority of those systems being built and tested at the company’s headquarters facility in Burlington, Vermont, where the firm’s wave of recent hires includes new key executives, Wesley Grove, Senior Operations Manager and Matt Bradley, Vice President of Finance. Benchmark also appointed Kent Frankovich as Vice President of Electric Propulsion, who will be based at Benchmark’s pre-delivery system test center in Pleasanton, California.

Benchmark has expanded its Guidance, Navigation and Control (GNC) software engineering team to further develop its SmartAIM™ GNC for unprecedented operational versatility aboard cubesats, microsats and ESPAs powered by its Halcyon chemical and new Xantus electric metal plasma thruster (MPT) propulsion systems ‚ as well as complementary thrusters and positioning subsystems.

Benchmark also announced it is ready to initiate propulsion system production at its new UK manufacturing and test facility at the Westcott Innovation Centre Northwest of London in Aylesbury, England. A collaboration with UK-based Satellite Applications Catapult enabled Benchmark to accelerate the build out of its European assembly and clean room operations in less than six months.

The first propulsion engines to roll off Benchmark’s new UK production line will be Halcyon Avant bipropellant systems destined for Space Forge satellites, which are designed to return products made in space back to Earth. While the down mass re-entry market attracts much skepticism and scrutiny, it is a key aspect of the in-space market, proven and practiced for years by SpaceX. 

“The space market has seen our performance on orbit, and our breakthrough chemical, electric, and hybrid propulsion systems, and has responded with major engine orders we will deliver over the coming months. We have quickly emerged as the company that empowers leading satellite manufacturers and operators by unleashing the full potential of their missions with the best in-space mobility solutions,” said Ryan McDevitt, Benchmark Space Systems CEO. “Benchmark continues to grow exponentially, nearly tripling the size of our team this year alone and expanding our five-year production capacity to one-thousand engines in the U.S. and the UK. Benchmark is inking major contracts to enable mission-critical government and commercial space programs, and we have the people and infrastructure in place to deliver on the exciting demand.”

“Benchmark’s UK expansion is an important piece of our global strategy, as we are now very well positioned to meet the specific needs of the European space market with tailored chemical, electric and hybrid propulsion solutions,” according to Mark Arthur, Benchmark’s Director of European Operations.  “Our alignment with S.A.  Catapult has allowed Benchmark to stand up our UK manufacturing and testing capabilities in record time at the Westcott Innovation Centre, with access to specialized capital equipment available on campus. We expect to conduct our first hot fire testing early next year, and we will be exchanging ideas, capabilities and technologies across our teams in the UK, Vermont and California to solve key challenges for customers and partners around the world — from in-space manufacturing to space debris and collision avoidance.”

“We are thrilled to see our facilities at the Westcott Innovation Center play a role in Benchmark’s ability to accelerate the production and testing of propulsion systems customized to the requirements of UK and European space demands,” said Sam Adlen, Chief Strategy Officer for Satellite Applications Catapult. “Benchmark brings incredibly innovative propulsion systems and technologies to the region and is on the verge of rolling its first tailored offerings off its Westcott assembly line.”