Community hub
Recent from talks
Knowledge base stats:
Talk channels stats:
Members stats:
BluShift Aerospace
Blu Shift Aerospace (stylized as BluShift) is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Brunswick, Maine, with an additional office in Concord, California. Founded in 2014, the company develops hybrid rocket engines powered by plant-derived biofuels for launching small satellites and supporting sub-orbital research missions.
The company is funded by the United States Air Force, NASA's Small Business Innovation Research program, and the Maine Technology Institute. The company is an affiliate of the Maine Space Grant Consortium.
Sascha Deri founded BluShift Aerospace in 2014. In 2016, the company relocated from Massachusetts to Brunswick Landing in Maine, utilizing the aerospace infrastructure of the former Naval Air Station. This move provided access to testing facilities and technical staff needed for developing the company's experimental rockets.
In 2017, the Maine Technology Institute awarded funding for BluShift's bio-fuel development efforts. In 2019, the company received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from NASA to support work on a modular hybrid rocket engine design. BluShift's first launch was originally planned for 2019 however it was delayed due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2020, the company had conducted 154 static fire tests of its hybrid propulsion system in preparation for its first launch.[non-primary source needed]
On January 31, 2021, BluShift Aerospace conducted the launch of its Stardust 1.0 prototype rocket from Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. The 20-foot (6-meter) rocket reached an altitude of approximately 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) and was recovered via parachute. The company estimated the total cost of the launch to be under $500,000.
The vehicle carried three experimental payloads housed in 3U CubeSat enclosures, provided by Kellogg Research Lab, Rocket Insights, and Falmouth High School.
Following the launch of Stardust 1.0, BluShift Aerospace expanded its commercial and technical operations. In March 2021, the company launched a public crowdfunding campaign with an initial goal of $500,000. By April 2022, the campaign had exceeded its target, raising over $1.1 million from more than 1,000 investors worldwide.
In June 2021, BluShift entered a commercial agreement with Max IQ, a Virginia-based company, to provide launch services for up to 60 small satellites over multiple years, with a planned launch frequency of twice per year.
Hub AI
BluShift Aerospace AI simulator
(@BluShift Aerospace_simulator)
BluShift Aerospace
Blu Shift Aerospace (stylized as BluShift) is an American aerospace manufacturer headquartered in Brunswick, Maine, with an additional office in Concord, California. Founded in 2014, the company develops hybrid rocket engines powered by plant-derived biofuels for launching small satellites and supporting sub-orbital research missions.
The company is funded by the United States Air Force, NASA's Small Business Innovation Research program, and the Maine Technology Institute. The company is an affiliate of the Maine Space Grant Consortium.
Sascha Deri founded BluShift Aerospace in 2014. In 2016, the company relocated from Massachusetts to Brunswick Landing in Maine, utilizing the aerospace infrastructure of the former Naval Air Station. This move provided access to testing facilities and technical staff needed for developing the company's experimental rockets.
In 2017, the Maine Technology Institute awarded funding for BluShift's bio-fuel development efforts. In 2019, the company received a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from NASA to support work on a modular hybrid rocket engine design. BluShift's first launch was originally planned for 2019 however it was delayed due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic. By 2020, the company had conducted 154 static fire tests of its hybrid propulsion system in preparation for its first launch.[non-primary source needed]
On January 31, 2021, BluShift Aerospace conducted the launch of its Stardust 1.0 prototype rocket from Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine. The 20-foot (6-meter) rocket reached an altitude of approximately 4,100 feet (1,250 meters) and was recovered via parachute. The company estimated the total cost of the launch to be under $500,000.
The vehicle carried three experimental payloads housed in 3U CubeSat enclosures, provided by Kellogg Research Lab, Rocket Insights, and Falmouth High School.
Following the launch of Stardust 1.0, BluShift Aerospace expanded its commercial and technical operations. In March 2021, the company launched a public crowdfunding campaign with an initial goal of $500,000. By April 2022, the campaign had exceeded its target, raising over $1.1 million from more than 1,000 investors worldwide.
In June 2021, BluShift entered a commercial agreement with Max IQ, a Virginia-based company, to provide launch services for up to 60 small satellites over multiple years, with a planned launch frequency of twice per year.