Q&A Benchmark Space Systems
Benchmark Space Systems makes space more accessible
Satellite Evolution Global
Chris Carella, EVP of Business Development and Strategy, Benchmark Space Systems
Q&A 14
Benchmark Space Systems offers scalable, launch vehicle agnostic propulsion products and services for a wide range of spacecraft—from 3U CubeSats through ESPA-class (3-500kg) satellites, lunar landers, spent launcher stages, and orbital transfer vehicles (OTVs). The company’s Halcyon high-test peroxide (HTP)-based propulsion system has successfully performed missioncritical manoeuvres aboard government and commercial missions on three satellites, and its Halcyon Avant green bipropellant thrusters will power Spaceflight’s Sherpa-LTC OTV. We spoke with Chris Carella, EVP of Business Development and Strategy, to get the lowdown on Benchmark’s current and future trajectory. Crispin Littlehales, Global Contributing Editor, Satellite Evolution Group Question: When was Benchmark founded and how has the company evolved? Chris Carella: One of our co-founders, Ryan McDevitt, worked on a smallscale propulsion system while getting his Ph.D. at the University of Vermont. That was prior to the existence of the emerging small satellite market in 2012. In 2014, Ryan started a company known as Greenscale Technologies with one of his undergrad pals, Matt Shea. They were
Benchmark tripling production and doubling staff to meet in-space propulsion demand
www.satellite-evolution.com | June 2022
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20/06/2022, 10:01
