Space
Cowboy Space Reveals Big Iron Data Center Rocket
Publication: Payload
Author: Victoria Woodburn
Source published: 27/10/2026, 02:30:00 UTC
Briefing created: 27/10/2026, 13:05:33 UTC
Based on a feed excerpt; full article content has not been acquired. Source evidence retrieved 27/10/2026, 12:50:26 UTC.
Briefings
Cowboy Space unveiled Big Iron, a 86-meter stainless-steel launch vehicle designed to carry 15,000+ kg to sun-synchronous orbit. The vehicle will serve as a megawatt-class data center, with its upper stage becoming the satellite's radiator and Ammonia propellant acting as coolant. Cowboy aims to launch Big Iron in 2028, following successful testing of its Clydesdale engines at NASA's Stennis Space Center. The rocket will transport up to 20,000 satellites for a future constellation, with the first flight scheduled for 2028.
Key points
- Big Iron is an 86-meter stainless-steel launch vehicle designed to carry 15,000+ kg to sun-synchronous orbit.
- The vehicle's upper stage will function as a megawatt-class data center, utilizing Ammonia propellant for cooling and solar wings for pressurization.
Context
Cowboy Space is opening Big Iron to customers via the Big Iron Express program, addressing launch capacity constraints. The company aims to launch Big Iron in 2028, following successful testing of its Clydesdale engines at NASA's Stennis Space Center in October 2026.
Limitations
Coverage is limited to the initial unveiling of Big Iron and its planned 2028 launch. Specific flight dates for subsequent satellites in the 2028 launch window are not confirmed. The vehicle's operational status beyond the initial launch is not detailed.
Generated by Bittrees-hosted qwen35-2b sha256:aaf42c8b7c3c on 27/10/2026, 13:05:33 UTC. Based on publisher-provided feed evidence; may not cover the full original article. Check the source for details.
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