Vector Space Systems

Vector Space Systems
Private
Industry Aerospace
Founded 2016
Headquarters Tucson, Arizona
Key people
 Jim Cantrell, CEO and co-founder
Website Official website

Vector Space Systems is an American space technology company which aims to launch small satellites into orbit with its eponymous family of small launch vehicles.

Company history

The company’s CEO is Jim Cantrell,[1] who co-founded the company with John Garvey, Ken Sunshine, and Eric Besnard.[2] Cantrell had previously helped Elon Musk found SpaceX in 2002, but left shortly afterward, viewing it as unlikely to turn a profit.[3] Vector Space Systems received $1 million in seed angel funding soon after its launch in 2016 and additionally $21 million from Sequoia Capital, Shasta Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners in June 2017.[4][5][6] It has offices in Tucson, Arizona,[7] and an engineering facility in Huntington Beach, California.[8] In July 2016, Vector acquired Garvey Spacecraft,[9] and began designing rockets based on Garvey’s designs.[1] The company is also investing in software capabilities. It has a platform called Galactic Sky, located in San Jose, California, which makes software-defined satellites to provide start-ups and entrepreneurs with satellite capabilities.[10][11] In 2017, it signed a letter of intent to collaborate with a cryptocurrency company, called Nexus, that is attempting to develop a satellite-supported currency exchange system.[12] In 2016 York Space Systems signed a $60 million launch deal with Vector, to launch six satellites into orbit.[13]

As of 2017 Vector Space plans to use the LC-46 launch site in Florida for its Vector-R rocket starting in 2018.[14] Additionally Vector Space investigates adding more minimal infrastructure launch pads either located on land in the USA using mobile semi-trailers as tank trucks and a transporter erector launcher (TEL), or to launch the rocket from barges on the ocean.

Satellites

The company produces and launches mini-satellites, and has demonstrated future launches using 12-foot scale P-20 rockets, [15] of its Vector-R rocket.[2] Each payload is client-specific, so that launches are not shared between companies.[1] Currently they intend to launch satellites up to 50 kg into Low-Earth Orbit, and are developing orbital launch capabilities.[1] The first client of Vector was Iceye, a company in Finland.[16] Mini-satellites produced by Vector are partially assembled by 3-D printed engineered parts.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Van Wagenen, Juliet (15 August 2016). "Vector Space Systems Lays Out Big Plans for Tiny Rockets". Via Satellite.
  2. 1 2 Fernholz, Tim (August 6, 2016). "The next big thing in space business is tiny rockets". Quartz.
  3. ↑ Berger, Eric (April 26, 2016). "While SpaceX eyes its "BFR," an early employee now pursues an "SFR"". Ars Technica.
  4. ↑ Coldewey, Devin (April 26, 2016). "Vector Space Systems aims to launch satellites by the hundreds". TechCrunch.
  5. ↑ "Vector Space". crunchbase. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  6. ↑ Vance, Ashlee (June 29, 2017). "SpaceX Vet’s Startup Readies Small Rockets for Takeoff". Bloomberg.
  7. ↑ Foust, Jeff (22 July 2016). "Vector Space Systems plans 2018 first flight of small launch vehicle". Space News.
  8. ↑ Masunaga, Samantha (July 22, 2016). "Southern California's aerospace industry, long in decline, begins to stir". Los Angeles Times.
  9. ↑ "Vector Space Systems completes Garvey Spacecraft acquisition". aerospace-technology.com. July 21, 2016.
  10. ↑ "Vector Space Systems launches software defined satellites business unit". aerospace-technology.com. August 18, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Vector Space launches new software platform to support space entrepreneurs". Space Daily. August 19, 2016.
  12. ↑ Wichner, David (April 22, 2017). "Tucson Tech: Rocket firm surging ahead on all fronts". Arizona Daily Star.
  13. ↑ Avery, Greg (October 17, 2016). "Space startups team up in $60 million launch deal". Denver Business Journal.
  14. ↑ Gebhardt, Chris (May 18, 2017). "Vector Space aims to expand launch ranges with minimal infrastructure pads". NasaSpaceflight.com.
  15. ↑ Armstrong, Katie (August 8, 2016). "Vector Space Systems 3D printed a cheap mini rocket". 3D Printing Industry.
  16. ↑ Henry, Caleb (4 August 2016). "Vector Space Systems Wins 21-Launch Agreement from Iceye". Via Satellite.
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