The Big Iron rocket, developed by Cowboy Space, features a unique design where the second stage functions as an orbital satellite. The vehicle stands 86 meters tall with a diameter of 4.7 meters and is constructed from stainless steel. It utilizes ten Clydesdale engines powered by liquid oxygen and liquid methane, with nine engines on the first stage and one on the second.
The orbital satellite component weighs approximately 15 tons and deploys 132-meter solar panels. Its payload includes five racks of AI-focused GPUs, delivering 1 MW of computing power. The launch fairing serves a dual purpose, acting as a heat radiator for the onboard equipment after separation. The first stage is designed for reuse, capable of landing on a sea-based platform.
Cowboy Space aims to deploy a network of 20,000 satellites to host AI data centers. The company plans to initiate launches in December 2028, with a goal of multiple daily flights. Beyond its internal mission, the company will offer launch services for third-party cargo under the Big Iron Express program. The project is currently in the engine development and testing phase.
Founded in 2024 as Aetherflux, the company is led by Robinhood co-founder Baiju Bhatt. Its current orbital assets include the Reason-1 satellite, launched on October 1, 2026. This satellite is dedicated to testing orbital-to-ground energy transmission via laser technology.
