--- title: BENCHMARK description: Benchmark Space to reach orbit in 2020 A letter from our CEO SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, January 2020 As we prepare for another busy year at Benchmark Space image: https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5e1f59ba86d5b58319e36a94_EndofYear.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/ceo-update#main-content) [![Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Benchmark-Logo-ALLWHITE.png?width=160&height=38&name=Benchmark-Logo-ALLWHITE.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/) [![Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Benchmark%20Logo%20Color%20Transparent%20Background.png?width=160&height=38&name=Benchmark%20Logo%20Color%20Transparent%20Background.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/) - [Home](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com) - [Products](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products) - [High-Test Peroxide Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products/high-test-peroxide) - [ASCENT Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/ascent) - [Electric Propulsion Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products-electric-propulsion) - [Company](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/company) - [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news) - [Careers](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/careers) - [Contact](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/contact-us) - [Home](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com) - [Products](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products) - [High-Test Peroxide Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products/high-test-peroxide) - [ASCENT Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/ascent) - [Electric Propulsion Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/products-electric-propulsion) - [Company](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/company) - [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news) - [Careers](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/careers) - [Contact](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/contact-us) # A Letter From Our CEO - By [Ryan McDevitt](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/author/ryan-mcdevitt) - Jan 13, 2020 #### **Benchmark Space to reach orbit in 2020** *A letter from our CEO* **SOUTH BURLINGTON, VERMONT, January 2020** As we prepare for another busy year at Benchmark Space Systems, I want to take a few moments to reflect on last year, and share what we have in store for this year. We had an extremely productive year at Benchmark Space, with highlights including doubling our headcount, building out our test and analysis infrastructure, securing development contracts with the USAF and NASA, and closing our seed funding round. I’m proud of what we’ve accomplished, but this is just the beginning of our journey. Today small satellites offer an affordable entry point for students, scientists, and companies to work in space. Tomorrow, small satellites are going to be a major part of the in-space economy. We are committed to delivering the products and services that support that development; by doing so we will make our customer’s space aspirations more achievable, more affordable, and more profitable. As 2020 begins, there are several trends in the small satellite industry that we’re keeping a close eye on: •    Continuing downward pressure on the cost of ride share opportunities; •    New and expanding dedicated small satellite launch vehicles, which offer more targeted orbit insertion options; •    Operational constellations of small satellites coming online or expanding their capabilities; •   Increasing consideration of the importance of orbital debris mitigation and hazard avoidance as the number of satellites increases. Each of these represent shifts in how the small satellite industry operates that will require new technologies, new considerations, and new thinking. Benchmark Space Systems was founded for just this reason, and we are ready to use our agility to support our customers through this transition. Just as we expect 2020 to be transformational for the industry, it promises to be the most significant year for Benchmark Space yet, as we have several major initiatives and milestones on the horizon, including: •    Upgrades to our software and modeling capabilities; •    Moving into our new state-of-the-art test and assembly facility; •    First flight of our DFAST Propulsion System; •    First delivery of our B125 Propulsion System to customers. Each of these will improve and demonstrate our capabilities and prepare us for rapid growth in the small satellite industry. 2019 was an important year for us, and 2020 is shaping up to be even better. We are thankful for the support of our customers and our investors, and we look forward to sharing this journey with you. ‍ *Ryan McDevitt* *Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer* ‍ ‍ [PREVIOUS POST](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/b125-hot-fire-testing) ![image](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5d88ca3614d5ee8a8e377ad0_Hotfire%20Snapshot.jpg) ### B125 Hot Fire Testing [NEXT POST](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/propulsion-workshop-101) ### Learning From Home: Running and Building Our Propulsion Workshop in Unprecedented Times ![image](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5f1ae0f78cdd0c1d94e82409_Ad%20-%20LinkedIn.jpg) [whatsapp://send?text=https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/ceo-update](whatsapp://send?text=https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/ceo-update) ### Related Posts [[![](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/5f6240ee8c0e9e23c72d9ece_image%20(8).png?width=352&name=5f6240ee8c0e9e23c72d9ece_image%20(8).png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/press-release-afwerx-announces-benchmark-space)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/press-release-afwerx-announces-benchmark-space) [News](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/news) ### [Press Release: AFWERX Announces Benchmark Space Systems Among Top Teams Selected to exhibit at EngageSpace](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/press-release-afwerx-announces-benchmark-space) [[![2024 Benchmark Interns](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/image-png-Aug-08-2024-03-54-10-0697-PM.png?width=352&name=image-png-Aug-08-2024-03-54-10-0697-PM.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/2024-interns-of-benchmark)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/2024-interns-of-benchmark) ### [Thank you to the 2024 Interns of Benchmark](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/2024-interns-of-benchmark) [[![](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fast-Company-Main-IMage.jpg?width=352&name=Fast-Company-Main-IMage.jpg)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/benchmark-named-in-fast-companys-the-top-10-most-innovative-space-companies-of-2023)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/benchmark-named-in-fast-companys-the-top-10-most-innovative-space-companies-of-2023) [High-Test Peroxide](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/high-test-peroxide) ### [Benchmark named in Fast Company's "The top 10 most innovative space companies of 2023"](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/benchmark-named-in-fast-companys-the-top-10-most-innovative-space-companies-of-2023) [[![](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/TEC-Announcement-Website-Blog-Post-Banner-1.jpg?width=352&name=TEC-Announcement-Website-Blog-Post-Banner-1.jpg)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/the-exploration-company)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/the-exploration-company) [High-Test Peroxide](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/tag/high-test-peroxide) ### [The Exploration Company Selects Benchmark Space Systems Propulsion System To Power its ‘Mission Possible’ Demonstrator Flight](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/news/post/the-exploration-company) [![Benchmark Space Systems](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hubfs/Benchmark-Logo-ALLWHITE.png)](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/) Designing and manufacturing propulsion systems for responsive, sustainable in-space operations. ![US-United-States-Flag-icon](https://www.benchmarkspacesystems.com/hs-fs/hubfs/US-United-States-Flag-icon.png?width=40&height=40&name=US-United-States-Flag-icon.png) - 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