Rogue Space Systems, a three-year-old startup developing small satellites for in-orbit maintenance, launched its first demonstrator on Nov. 11 as part of SpaceX’s Transporter-9 joint mission. SpaceX launched more than 100 satellites with its Falcon 9 rocket launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.

Rogue Space said Rogue’s spacecraft, called Barry-1, will test the company’s onboard computer software and its ability to collect data from multiple sensors and process that data in real time. The data computing platform was developed with funding from the U.S. Space Force’s Orbital Prime program.

The pocket-sized Barry-1 payload was built on a platform provided by Bulgarian cubesat specialist EnduroSat and integrated into Exolaunch’s EXOpod Nova delivery device. Rogue Space, headquartered in Guilford, New Hampshire, has been awarded several Space Force Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts for technologies supporting satellite instruments, such as a cubesat dispenser and a magnetic system to stabilize upturned space objects.

During the Barry-1 deployment, Rogue will collect data on various aspects of spaceflight by testing in-house and customer-developed algorithms. It will also test a client load from powerplant startup IVO. The company is developing IVO Quantum Drive electric motor technology for spacecraft in low Earth orbit.

Rogue Space plans to launch more demonstrations in 2024 as part of a partnership with defense contractor SAIC. SAIC will integrate two Rogue cubesats and support the startup in developing a fleet of robots servicing the satellites. Source