Rogue Space Systems, a startup specializing in small satellites for in-orbit servicing, successfully launched its first spacecraft on November 11 as part of the SpaceX Transporter-9 rideshare mission. The launch, which took place at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, saw SpaceX deploy over 100 satellites using a Falcon 9 rocket.

The spacecraft, named Barry-1, serves as a demonstrator for Rogue Space’s on-board computing software and its ability to aggregate and process data from multiple sensors in real time. This data compute platform was developed with support from the U.S. Space Force’s Orbital Prime program.

Barry-1 was built on a platform provided by EnduroSat, a Bulgarian cubesat specialist, and integrated into an Exolaunch EXOpod Nova deployer.

Rogue Space, headquartered in Gilford, New Hampshire, has secured several Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from the Space Force for technologies related to satellite-servicing vehicles. These contracts include the development of a cubesat dispenser and a magnetic system for stabilizing space objects that are tumbling.

During the deployment of Barry-1, Rogue Space will test internal and customer-developed algorithms while collecting data on various aspects of spaceflight. The company will also test customer payloads from propulsion startup IVO, which is working on the development of electric propulsion technology for low-Earth orbit spacecraft known as IVO Quantum Drive.

Looking ahead, Rogue Space plans to launch further demonstrations in 2024 through a partnership with defense contractor SAIC. SAIC will integrate two Rogue cubesats and provide support for the startup’s development of a fleet of satellite-servicing robots.