Vector Launch

Vector Launch, formerly known as Vector Space Systems, was established in March 2016 by a team of experienced aerospace professionals including Jim Cantrell, John Garvey, Shaun Coleman, Ken Sunshine, and Eric Besnard. Cantrell, the initial CEO, brought significant industry credibility, having been part of the founding team at SpaceX and involved with several other space startups. The company's formation was bolstered by the acquisition of Garvey Spacecraft in July 2016, integrating its work on small launch vehicle concepts.

The firm's core business is providing launch services for the burgeoning small satellite market, targeting both commercial and government clients. Its business model revolves around developing comparatively low-cost, rapid-cadence launch vehicles to deploy microsatellites and CubeSats into low-Earth orbit. This strategy was designed to eliminate the need for small satellite operators to piggyback on larger, more expensive launches, thereby offering them more direct and frequent access to space. Revenue was to be generated per launch, with initial prices projected at around $1.5 million to $3 million.

Vector's primary products were the Vector-R (Rapid) and the larger Vector-H (Heavy) rockets. The Vector-R was designed to carry payloads of up to 60 kg, while the Vector-H targeted payloads up to 290 kg. Key design features included carbon composite structures, 3D-printed engine injectors developed with NASA's assistance, and the use of a liquid oxygen and propylene propellant combination. The company also developed a software-defined satellite operating system called GalacticSky, intended to allow customers to test satellite applications without needing their own hardware.

Despite initial successes, including suborbital test flights in 2017 and securing significant venture capital from investors like Sequoia Capital, the company faced severe financial difficulties. In August 2019, operations were paused, Cantrell departed as CEO, and the company ultimately filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in December 2019 after a key funding round fell through. Following the bankruptcy, Vector's satellite software assets, GalacticSky, were acquired by Lockheed Martin. The company re-emerged from bankruptcy in October 2020, aiming to refocus on suborbital and orbital flights for national security and commercial sectors. Recent developments in 2023 include a partnership with Ursa Major to supply 'Hadley' engines for the Vector-R launch vehicles, signaling a continued effort to advance its launch capabilities for national security missions.

Keywords: small satellite launch, microsatellites, launch vehicles, aerospace, suborbital flight, orbital payloads, CubeSats, Vector-R, Vector-H, national security missions