BluShift Aerospace

BluShift AerospaceFile:200px

Type| Launch services
Industry| Aerospace
Founded| March 2014; 12 years ago (2014-03)
Founders| Sascha Deri
Headquarters|

2 Pegasus Street,Suite 2,
Brunswick, Maine

United States

Key people

| Sascha Deri, CEO
David Hayrikyan, CTO
Luke Saindon, SME
Brady Brim-DeForest, Chairman
Products| Boosters
Hybrid rocket engines
Biofuel
Launch vehicles
Services| Sub-orbital and orbital transportation

Number of employees

| 20 (2024)
Website| blushiftaerospace.com

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 and boosters for hypersonics use cases [1] powered by plant-derived biofuels[2][3] for launching small satellites and supporting sub-orbital research missions.

The company has received funding from the United States Air Force,[4] NASA's Small Business Innovation Research program,[5] and the Maine Technology Institute.[6] The company is an affiliate of the Maine Space Grant Consortium.[7]

## Contents

* 1 History
* 1.1 Early development (2014-2020)
* 1.2 First launch (2021)
* 1.3 Commercial development (2021-2023)
* 1.4 Recent activities (2023-2026)
* 2 Engine technology
* 2.1 Testing program
* 3 Launch vehicles and capabilities
* 3.1 Stardust program
* 3.2 Starless Rogue
* 3.3 Red Dwarf
* 3.4 Recovery and reusability
* 4 Launch attempt history
* 5 See also
* 6 References
* 7 External links

## History

### Early development (2014-2020)

Sascha Deri founded BluShift Aerospace in 2014.[8][9] In 2016, the company relocated from Massachusetts to Brunswick Landing in Maine, utilizing the aerospace infrastructure of the former Naval Air Station.[10][11] 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[12] 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.[13][11] BluShift's first launch was originally planned for 2019 however it was delayed due to various factors, including the COVID-19 pandemic.[14] By 2020, the company had conducted 154 static fire tests of its hybrid propulsion system in preparation for its first launch.[15]Template:Non primary source needed

### First launch (2021)

On January 31, 2021, BluShift Aerospace conducted the launch of its Stardust 1.0 prototype rocket from Loring Air Force Base in Limestone, Maine.[16][17][18][8] 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.[19] It was the first commercial rocket launch that was powered by bio-derived fuel.[20]

The vehicle carried three experimental payloads housed in 3U CubeSat enclosures, provided by Kellogg Research Lab, Rocket Insights, and Falmouth High School.[8]

### Commercial development (2021-2023)

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.[21]

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.[22]

To support future launch operations, BluShift selected a site near Jonesport and Beals, Maine (approximately 30 miles east of Bar Harbor) after site evaluations and regulatory review. The location was planned to support coastal missions to polar and sun-synchronous orbits.[23] However, in March 2022, BluShift abandoned plans to build a spaceport in Jonesport following opposition from residents.[24][25]

### Recent activities (2023-2026)

In June of 2024, BluShift raised a seed round of $1.3M led by Late Stage Capital and late Stage's founder, Brady Brim-DeForest, joined the BluShift board as chairman [26]. In October 2024, BluShift completed a 60-second static fire test of the MAREVL (Modular Adaptable Rocket Engine for Vehicle Launch) 2.0 engine with active throttling.[27] The test concluded a $1.1 million contract with the U.S. Air Force focused on evaluating the engine for booster-stage propulsion applications.[4]

As of January 2025, BluShift was preparing for the first launch of its Starless Rogue suborbital rocket, expected to carry commercial payloads.[28] In January 2025, the company was pursuing a $15 million equity round to fund the first launch of its suborbital rocket from Spaceport America in New Mexico.[27] In April 2025, BluShift completed a hybrid rocket engine test at Brunswick Landing.[29][30] Mid-2025, BluShift announced plans to re-launch the booster to space once its FAA launch license was approved.[27]

As of May 2025, the company reported technical and funding challenges, including delays in engine development and shifts in federal support priorities. As of May 2025, the company was in the process of raising a $1 million seed round.[4]

In February of 2026, BluShift shifted focus to servicing the demand for rocket boosters.[31]

## Engine technology

The Modular Adaptable Rocket Engine for Vehicle Launch (MAREVL) is a hybrid rocket engine developed by BluShift, which combines solid bio-fuel with liquid oxidizer.[32][33]

Initially targeting thrust levels between 50 kilonewtons (11,000 lbf) and 60 kilonewtons (13,000 lbf), with plans to reach 80 kilonewtons (18,000 lbf), BluShift's 2022 hot-fire attempt of MAREVL 2.0 was canceled due to ignition failures. The first successful test on March 1, 2022 generated approximately 39 kilonewtons (8,800 lbf) of thrust.[34]

### Testing program

The full-scale MAREVL 2.0 is currently being tested and is intended to include more than 20 static fire tests.[35] In March 2022, its first test, a 5-second burn, was completed, validating ignition and flow stability. Subsequent tests have progressively extended burn duration and demonstrated throttling capabilities, culminating in the successful 60-second full-duration burn in October 2024.[4]

## Launch vehicles and capabilities

Vehicle  | Launch sites  | Dimensions  | Range  | Payload  | Stages  | Launches  | Status

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

Stardust 1[36][37] | Brunswick, ME
Loring, ME  | H: 20 ft (6.1 m)
W: 14 in (0.36 m)  | 1.25 km (4,100 ft)  | 8 kg (18 lb)  | 1  | 1  | Retired
Stardust 2 | Brunswick, ME
Loring, ME  | H: 22 ft (6.7 m)
W: 24 in (0.61 m)  | 15 km (49,000 ft)  | 30 kg (66 lb)  | 1  | 0  | Canceled
Starless Rogue Beta[38] | Washington County, ME
Spaceport America, NM  | H: 37 ft (11 m)
W: 24 in (0.61 m)  | 120 km (75 mi)  | 30 kg (66 lb)  | 1  | 0  | Development
Starless Rogue[27][39] | Washington County, ME
Wallops LC-1, VA
Spaceport America, NM  | H: 37 ft (11 m)
W: 30 in (0.76 m)  | 300 km (190 mi)  | 30 kg (66 lb)  | 1-2  | 0  | Development
Red Dwarf[35] | Washington County, ME
Wallops, VA
Cape Canaveral LC-48, FL  | H: 78 ft (24 m)
W: 40 in (1.0 m)  | ~1,000 km (620 mi) LEO/SSO | 100 kg (220 lb)  | 2  | 0  | Development

### Stardust program

The Stardust series served as BluShift's technology demonstrator and testbed for the MAREVL propulsion system. These rockets are launched from a mobile stand approximately three times the height of the rocket, which features flame diverters at its base. A 2022 report from Mainebiz noted that BluShift's fuel production, test site, and launchpad are intended to be entirely solar-powered.[23][40]

On January 31, 2021, Stardust 1 successfully demonstrated the viability of biofuel propulsion. The single-stage reusable prototype carried an 8 kg (18 lb) payload to an altitude of approximately 4,000 feet (1,200 m). The company characterized the vehicle's post recovery condition as satisfactory for potential reuse. The vehicle is now considered retired.[41][42]

### Starless Rogue

The Starless Rogue is BluShift's suborbital rocket platform. It is designed to provide 6–10 minutes of microgravity for 30 kg (66 lb) payloads on trajectories reaching up to 300 kilometres (190 mi) altitude. The vehicle also serves as a hypersonic testbed for defense applications.[27][43]

### Red Dwarf

Red Dwarf is BluShift's first orbital launch vehicle, designed to deliver 100 kg (220 lb) payloads to low Earth orbit, with a focus on polar and sun-synchronous orbits.[44]

In February 2022, BluShift announced that it had reduced Red Dwarf from three stages to two while more than tripling its payload capacity from 30 to 100 kg (66 to 220 lb).[45]

### Recovery and reusability

BluShift has integrated recovery systems into all of its vehicles. Stardust 1 successfully demonstrated parachute recovery, landing safely in snow for post-flight analysis rather than reflight.[8]

## Launch attempt history

Launch No.  | Date/time  | Vehicle  | Customer/payload  | Launch site  | Apogee  | Duration  | Outcome

|
|
|
|
|
|
|

\-  | 21 October 2020  | Stardust  | N/A  | Test Launch Stand, Brunswick Landing, Maine  | N/A (4,500 ft planned) | N/A  | cancelled
The company's first planned test launch was postponed due to COVID-19 and other delays.[46]
1  | 27 December 2020 07:00 ET | Stardust 1.0  | Kellogg Research Lab,
Rocket Insights,
Falmouth High School  | Runway, Loring Commerce Centre, Maine  | N/A (4,000 ft planned) | N/A  | postponed
Launch scrubbed due to unfavorable weather conditions.
14 January 2021 07:00 ET | Runway, Loring Commerce Centre, Maine  | N/A (4,000 ft planned) | N/A  | postponed
Second attempt scrubbed due to unfavorable weather and winds.
31 January 2021 14:45 ET  | Runway, Loring Commerce Centre, Maine  | 1,250 m (4,100 ft) AGL  | ~2 minutes  | Success
Successful launch after the third countdown of the day. First commercial biofuel rocket launch worldwide. Recovery teams retrieved rocket components safely from a snow-covered field.[8]
2  | NET Late 2025  | Starless Rogue | TBA  | Spaceport America, New Mexico  | TBA (120-140 km planned) | (~10 minutes planned) | Planned
First suborbital launch to space with paying customers, pending FAA commercial launch license approval.[27]
3  | NET Mid-2026  | Starless Rogue | Max IQ[22] | Coastal Launch Pad, Washington County, Maine  | TBA (>150 km planned) | (~10 minutes planned) | Planned
First commercial launch from Maine coastal site with Max IQ experiment payloads.[27]
4  | NET 2026  | Red Dwarf  | TBA  | Coastal Launch Pad, Washington County, Maine  | TBA (LEO/SSO planned) | TBD  | Planned
First orbital test launch of Red Dwarf vehicle.[47]

## See also

Similar companies:

* Rocket Lab
* Firefly Aerospace
* Relativity Space
* Orbex
* Exos Aerospace
* Maritime Launch Services
* Astra Space

Related articles:

* List of rocket launch sites
* List of orbital launch systems
* List of private spaceflight companies
* Hybrid rocket
* Small satellite

## References

1. ↑ https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/13/brunswick-startup-shifts-to-selling-rocket-boosters/
2. ↑ "One Small Step for bluShift, One Giant Leap for Sustainability". https://www.georgetownspace.org/contentmaster/one-small-step-for-blushift-one-large-step-for-sustainability.
3. ↑ Justice, D. (1965-02-01). "Launch Environment Factors Affecting the Design of Launch Sites for Large Rocket-Powered Missiles". 6th Solid Propellant Rocket Conference (Reston, Virginia: American Institute of Aeronautics and Astronautics). doi:10.2514/6.1965-188. https://doi.org/10.2514/6.1965-188.
4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 4.2 4.3 Gorman, Douglas (2025-05-16). "bluShift Aerospace Pivots After Latest Test" (in en-US). https://payloadspace.com/blushift-aerospace-pivots-after-latest-test/.
5. ↑ "Award | SBIR". https://www.sbir.gov/awards/206037.
6. ↑ Clarke, Talia (2024-11-18). "bluShift Aerospace is one step closer to launching a rocket into space" (in en). https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-based-blushift-aerospace-is-one-step-closer-to-launching-a-rocket-into-space/62942150.
7. ↑ "Meet Our Affiliates" (in en-US). https://www.msgc.org/about/affiliates/.
8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 8.2 8.3 8.4 Malik, Tariq (2021-02-01). "Startup bluShift Aerospace launches its 1st commercial biofuel rocket from Maine" (in en). https://www.space.com/blushift-aerospace-launches-stardust-biofuel-rocket.
9. ↑ Terhune, John (2022-03-09). "Successful test another step on Brunswick startup's journey to the stars". https://www.pressherald.com/2022/03/09/successful-test-another-step-on-brunswick-startups-journey-to-the-stars/.
10. ↑ LaClaire, Hannah (2019-07-03). "Brunswick aerospace company wins grant from NASA". https://www.pressherald.com/2019/07/03/brunswick-aerospace-company-wins-grant-from-nasa.
11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 Brogan, Beth (2019-06-21). "Brunswick aerospace company lands NASA grant to develop hybrid rocket engine" (in en-US). https://www.bangordailynews.com/2019/06/21/news/brunswick-aerospace-company-lands-nasa-grant-to-develop-hybrid-rocket-engine/.
12. ↑ "MAINE TECHNOLOGY INSTITUTE MAKES $1,027,822 IN AWARDS TO 25 MAINE COMPANIES AND RESEARCH INSTITUTIONS". https://www.mainetechnology.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/MTI-Press-Release-3.22.17.pdf.
13. ↑ "Brunswick rocket company wins NASA grant" (in English). https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/brunswick-rocket-company-wins-nasa-grant.
14. ↑ Peters, Brooks (2020-09-29). "Brunswick aerospace company sets date for rocket launch". https://www.pressherald.com/2020/09/29/brunswick-aerospace-company-sets-date-for-rocket-launch-2.
15. ↑ "bluShift Hot Fire Tests - YouTube". https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLhOxP-Uot5-p2Pjf6N-KxNaNZvlmZv8QQ.
16. ↑ "bluShift Aerospace launches its first rocket powered by biofuels" (in en-US). February 2021. https://techcrunch.com/2021/02/01/blushift-aerospace-launches-its-first-rocket-powered-by-biofuels/.
17. ↑ "Maine Company Successfully Launches First Biofuel Rocket". 2021-02-01. https://www.mainepublic.org/business-and-economy/2021-02-01/maine-company-successfully-launches-first-biofuel-rocket.
18. ↑ "bluShift Aerospace Launches Stardust 1.0 Rocket Powered by Biofuel". 2021-02-04. https://www.universetoday.com/149881/blushift-aerospace-launches-stardust-1-0-rocket-powered-by-biofuel/.
19. ↑ Foust, Jeff (January 31, 2021). "Startup tests hybrid engine for small launch vehicle". https://spacenews.com/startup-tests-hybrid-engine-for-small-launch-vehicle/.
20. ↑ Willis, Paul (August 31, 2022). "How sustainable biofuel will power the next generation of rockets". https://aerospaceamerica.aiaa.org/year-in-review/encouraging-tests-of-hybrids-hold-hope-of-safer-reliable-access-to-space/.
21. ↑ "BluShift Aerospace: World's 1st Carbon-Neutral Biofuel-Powered Small Space Launch Service". http://wefunder.com/blushift.aerospace.
22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 Carter, C. Thacher (2021-06-24). "Brunswick aerospace company signs first major deal with Virginia-based firm" (in en-US). https://www.pressherald.com/2021/06/24/virginia-based-firm-signs-first-major-deal-with-brunswick-aerospace-company.
23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 "Maine rocket-maker bluShift looks to Florida, not Jonesport, for first commercial launch" (in English). https://www.mainebiz.biz/article/maine-rocket-maker-blushift-looks-to-florida-not-jonesport-for-first-commercial-launch.
24. ↑ Trotter, Bill (2022-03-08). "Maine rocket firm will launch from Florida after dropping plans for Jonesport". Bangor Daily News, Maine. https://www.aol.com/news/maine-rocket-firm-launch-florida-010500044.html?guccounter=1.
25. ↑ Schreiber, Laurie (2022-05-04). "Brunswick rocket-maker bluShift changes strategy to find Maine launch site" (in en-US). https://mainebiz.biz/article/brunswick-rocket-maker-blushift-changes-strategy-to-find-maine-launch-site/.
26. ↑ https://spaceinsider.tech/2024/06/05/blushift-aerospace-raises-1-3m-seed-round-bolsters-satellite-launch-services/
27. ↑ 27.0 27.1 27.2 27.3 27.4 27.5 27.6 "BluShift Aerospace hopes to launch 1st suborbital rocket from Maine in 2025". Space.com. 2025-01-06. https://www.space.com/space-exploration/launches-spacecraft/blushift-aerospace-hopes-to-launch-1st-suborbital-rocket-from-maine-in-2025.
28. ↑ Gorman, Douglas (2025-01-02). "What to Expect in 2025" (in en-US). https://payloadspace.com/what-to-expect-in-2025/.
29. ↑ Staff, WGME (2025-04-05). "BluShift Aerospace completes hybrid rocket engine test at Brunswick Landing" (in en). https://fox23maine.com/news/local/blushift-aerospace-completes-hybrid-rocket-engine-test-at-brunswick-landing.
30. ↑ Stockley, Leela (2025-04-04). "Watch Live: Maine aerospace company tests rocket engine" (in en-US). https://www.bangordailynews.com/2025/04/04/midcoast/midcoast-business/watch-maine-aerospace-company-tests-rocket-engine/.
31. ↑ https://www.pressherald.com/2026/02/13/brunswick-startup-shifts-to-selling-rocket-boosters/
32. ↑ Levesque, Jake (2024-09-07). "bluShift Successfully Completed a Full Flight-Duration Engine Test Last Night at Brunswick Landing" (in en-US). https://brunswicklanding.us/blushift-successfully-completed-a-full-flight-duration-engine-test-last-night-at-brunswick-landing/.
33. ↑ "BluShift conducts first biofuel rocket engine test". 4 March 2022. https://www.aerospacetestinginternational.com/videos/blushift-conducts-first-biofuel-rocket-engine-test.html.
34. ↑ Dickinson, David (April 6, 2022). "BluShift Aerospace Tests MAREVL Engine, Eyes Move to Kennedy Space Center" (in en). https://www.universetoday.com/articles/blushift-aerospace-tests-marevl-engine-eyes-move-to-kennedy-space-center.
35. ↑ 35.0 35.1 Gorman, Douglas (2024-10-25). "bluShift Aerospace Completes Full Throttle Engine Test" (in en-US). https://payloadspace.com/blushift-aerospace-completes-full-throttle-engine-test/.
36. ↑ "Stardust 1.0 Rocket: All you need to know about the first biofuel-powered commercial space launch" (in en). 2021-02-03. https://www.jagranjosh.com/general-knowledge/stardust-1-0-first-commercial-space-launch-powered-by-biofuel-1612368251-1.
37. ↑ Ketschke, Ross (2021-01-31). "Maine aerospace company launches world's first biofuel rocket" (in en). https://www.wmtw.com/article/maine-aerospace-company-launches-worlds-first-biofuel-rocket/35375142.
38. ↑ Brogan, Jacquelyn (2021-04-02). "Aerospace company plans to launch next generation of rocket in Limestone this summer". Bangor Daily News. https://www.bangordailynews.com/2021/04/02/aroostook/aerospace-company-plans-to-launch-next-generation-of-rocket-in-limestone-this-summer/.
39. ↑ "BluShift Aerospace Starless Rogue Flight Test". 6 February 2022. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3Oh2uOIbug.
40. ↑ "Solar and Rockets in Maine – A Match Made in the Heavens" (in English). 10 March 2021. https://www.altestore.com/blog/2021/03/solar-and-rockets-in-maine-a-match-made-in-the-heavens.
41. ↑ Kulu, Erik. "bluShift Aerospace - Launcher" (in en). https://www.newspace.im/launchers/blushift-aerospace.html.
42. ↑ Crawford, Clayton (2021-02-25). "The bluShift to Sustainable Aerospace" (in en-US). https://thebusinessdownload.com/the-blushift-to-sustainable-aerospace/.
43. ↑ "Starless Rogue" (in English). https://www.blushiftaerospace.com/starless-rogue.
44. ↑ "Red Dwarf" (in English). https://www.blushiftaerospace.com/red-dwarf.
45. ↑ (in en) Major Breakthrough Triples our Payload & Revenue Capacity!, 4 February 2022, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KExXJVeY4w, retrieved 2022-02-08
46. ↑ Bouchard, Christopher (2021-01-31). "Maine company that hopes to become the 'Uber of space' completes historic rocket launch" (in en-US). https://www.bangordailynews.com/2021/01/31/news/aroostook/maine-company-that-hopes-to-become-the-uber-of-space-completes-historic-rocket-launch/.
47. ↑ "BluShift Aerospace Launches Stardust 1.0 Rocket - Technology Org" (in en-US). 2021-02-05. https://www.technology.org/2021/02/05/blushift-aerospace-launches-stardust-1-0-rocket/.

## External links

* Official website

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*[CEO]: Chief Executive Officer
*[CTO]: Chief Technical Officer
*[SME]: Senior Mechanical Engineer
*[NET]: No earlier than