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.[4][5] It has offices in Tucson, Arizona,[6] and an engineering facility in Huntington Beach, California.[7] In July 2016, Vector acquired Garvey Spacecraft,[8] and began designing rockets based on Garvey’s designs.[1] The company also 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.[9][10] In 2016 York Space Systems signed a $60 million launch deal with Vector, to launch six satellites into orbit.[11]

Satellites

The company produces and launches mini-satellites, and has demonstrated future launches using 12-foot scale P-20 rockets,[12] of its Vector R known as the Vector 1.[2] Each payload is client-specific, so that launches are not shared between companies.[1] Currently they are capable of launching satellites up to 50kg into Low-Earth Orbit, and are developing orbital launch capabilities.[1] The first client of Vector was Iceye, a company in Finland.[13] Mini-satellites produced by Vector are partially assembled by 3-D printed engineered parts.[1]

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 Henry, Caleb (15 August 2016). "Vector Space Systems Lays Out Big Plans for Tiny Rockets - Via Satellite -".
  2. 1 2 Fernholz, Tim. "The next big thing in space business is tiny rockets".
  3. ↑ Berger, Eric (April 26, 2016). "While SpaceX eyes its "BFR," an early employee now pursues an "SFR"". Ars Technica.
  4. ↑ Coldewey, Devin. "Vector Space Systems aims to launch satellites by the hundreds".
  5. ↑ "Vector Space". crunchbase. Retrieved 3 December 2016.
  6. ↑ "Vector Space Systems plans 2018 first flight of small launch vehicle - SpaceNews.com". 22 July 2016.
  7. ↑ Times, Los Angeles. "Southern California's aerospace industry, long in decline, begins to stir".
  8. ↑ "Vector Space Systems completes Garvey Spacecraft acquisition".
  9. ↑ "Vector Space Systems launches software defined satellites business unit".
  10. ↑ "Vector Space launches new software platform to support space entrepreneurs".
  11. ↑ http://upstart.bizjournals.com/news/technology/2016/10/18/space-startups-team-up-in-60-million-launch-deal.html?page=all
  12. ↑ "Vector Space Systems 3D printed a cheap mini rocket".
  13. ↑ VanWagenen, Juliet (4 August 2016). "Vector Space Systems Wins 21-Launch Agreement from Iceye - Via Satellite -".
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