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Vector Launch

February 28, 2023

Vector Launch, Inc. (formerly Vector Space Systems) is an American space technology company which aims to launch suborbital and orbital payloads. Vector Launch declared bankruptcy in December 2019[4] and re-emerged in October 2020.[5]

Vector Launch, Inc.
TypePrivate
IndustryAerospace
FoundedMarch 2, 2016; 6 years ago (2016-03-02)
HeadquartersTucson, Arizona, U.S.
Key people
John Garvey (CEO)
Jim Cantrell (former CEO)
Eric Besnard (CTO)[1]Robert Spalding
ProductsVector-R,[2] Vector-H[3]
Websitevector-launch.com

History

The company's first CEO was Jim Cantrell,[6] who co-founded the company with John Garvey, Shaun Coleman, Ken Sunshine, and Eric Besnard.[7] Cantrell had previously helped Elon Musk found SpaceX in 2001.[8] Vector Launch, Inc. received US$1 million in seed angel funding from entrepreneur Shaun Coleman soon after its foundation in 2016 and additionally US$21 million million from Sequoia Capital, Shasta Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners in June 2017.[9][10] It had offices in Tucson, Arizona,[11] and an engineering facility in Huntington Beach, California.[12] In July 2016, Vector acquired Garvey Spacecraft,[13] and began designing rockets based on Garvey's designs.[6] The company was also investing in software capabilities. It had a platform called Galactic Sky, located in San Jose, California, which was developing software-defined satellites to provide start-ups and entrepreneurs with satellite capabilities.[14][15] In 2017, Cantrell signed a letter of intent to collaborate with his son's cryptocurrency company, called Nexus, that was attempting to develop a satellite-supported currency exchange system.[16][needs update] In 2016 York Space Systems signed a $60 million launch deal with Vector, to launch six satellites into orbit, which was never funded.[17]

By August 2016, Vector had tested hardware in suborbital flight with the launch of its P-20 prototype rocket, as well as atmospheric test flights of the Vector-R[when?] from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California and Spaceport Camden in Georgia.[6][7][18][19]

By 2017, Vector had announced that it planned to use the LC-46 launch site in Florida for its Vector-R rocket starting in 2018,[20] but did not achieve that target date. Additionally Vector was investigating 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.[citation needed]

By February 2018, the company was planning to launch the first orbital flight of the Vector-R in July 2018 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska.[needs update][21] As of 2017, the first launch of the Vector-H was expected to occur in 2019.[22][needs update]

On August 7, 2019, the company was awarded its first U.S. Air Force mission, to launch the ASLON-45 spacecraft for $3.4 million.[23] However, the contract was cancelled when the US Air Force determined Vector did not meet minimum requirements for solvency.

On August 9, 2019, Cantrell left Vector Launch and John Garvey assumed the role of CEO. The future of the company was left uncertain as it reportedly faced serious financial problems.[24]

Bankruptcy

On December 13, 2019, Vector Launch Inc. and one affiliated company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware. It was revealed that the August layoffs had been precipitated by the withdrawal of financial support by Sequoia Capital, one of the company's largest investors, which led other potential investors to back out of an upcoming funding round in a domino effect. Vector has filed a motion with the court for approval to sell its assets pursuant to Section 363 of the US bankruptcy code (a provision that allows for the orderly sale of assets from a bankrupt estate). The stalking horse bidder is Lockheed Martin.[4] Lockheed Martin acquired Vector's GalacticSky assets by default after a bankruptcy court received no qualified bids.[25] Another bidder acquired the remaining launch vehicle assets.

On October 29, 2020, Vector re-emerged with a new CEO to focus the company on suborbital and orbital flight.[26]

Post-bankruptcy

On October 29, 2020, Robert Spalding announced that Vector Launch is "focused on suborbital, and eventually orbital flight" and is targeting both the governmental and commercial sectors.[26]

On January 11, 2021, Vector's remaining shareholders unanimously voted on a wind down plan.[27]

Services

Launchers

The company plans[28] to provide launch services with two rockets, the smaller Vector-R, and the larger Vector-H. Both rockets use a single engine for their second stage and a cluster of engines (three in the Vector-R and six in the Vector-H) for their first stage, all of which use LOX and propylene as propellants.[29]

Vector planned to recover the first stage of its rockets for reuse.[8][9] Other notable design features include a carbon fiber structure, some 3D printed engine parts, minimal infrastructure launch pads, and a fast launch cadence, which the company had hoped to reach 100 launches per year.[10][20][30] The first client of Vector was Iceye, a company in Finland.[31]

GalacticSky

Vector developed a patented[32] software-defined satellite operating system called GalacticSky so that its planned micro-satellites can run different applications. Managed by Vector's initial investor and co-founder Shaun Coleman[33] GalacticSky was intended to allow customers to quickly test software applications for satellites without having to develop their own hardware.[14][15][34] Following a lawsuit filed by Vector against Lockheed Martin for violating GalacticSky patents[35][36][37] and Vector's bankruptcy, Lockheed Martin expressed interest in acquiring GalacticSky for $2.5 million, assuming no higher bidder appears.[4]

Several members of the former GalacticSky team including the primary author of many of its patents[32] and a Vector co-founder, chief sales/marketing officer and SVP/general manager of GalacticSky, Shaun Coleman,[36][38][39] former GalacticSky VP of engineering John Metzger, former Vector chief revenue officer, and Lockheed VP of Advanced programs[40] Robert Cleave[41] have since founded NewSpace Networks,[42] a company focused on extending the cloud and making satellite networks more efficient.[43][44][45] NewSpace Networks intends to bid for the GalacticSky assets against Lockheed Martin.[46]

See also

References

  1. ^ "Executive Team". Vector Launch. from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  2. ^ "Vector-R (Rapid)". Vector Launch. from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  3. ^ "Vector-H (Heavy)". Vector Launch. from the original on August 9, 2019. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  4. ^ a b c Foust, Jeff (December 13, 2019). "Vector files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy". SpaceNews. Retrieved December 13, 2019.
  5. ^ "Vector Launch: True Story". Twitter.
  6. ^ a b c Van Wagenen, Juliet (August 15, 2016). "Vector Space Systems Lays Out Big Plans for Tiny Rockets". Via Satellite. from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  7. ^ a b Fernholz, Tim (August 6, 2016). "The next big thing in space business is tiny rockets". Quartz. from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  8. ^ a b Berger, Eric (April 26, 2016). "While SpaceX eyes its "BFR," an early employee now pursues an "SFR"". Ars Technica. from the original on May 11, 2017. Retrieved June 15, 2017.
  9. ^ a b Coldewey, Devin (April 26, 2016). "Vector Space Systems aims to launch satellites by the hundreds". TechCrunch. from the original on September 15, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  10. ^ a b Vance, Ashlee (June 29, 2017). "SpaceX Vet's Startup Readies Small Rockets for Takeoff". Bloomberg. from the original on July 9, 2017. Retrieved July 7, 2017.
  11. ^ Foust, Jeff (July 22, 2016). "Vector Space Systems plans 2018 first flight of small launch vehicle". Space News.
  12. ^ Masunaga, Samantha (July 22, 2016). "Southern California's aerospace industry, long in decline, begins to stir". Los Angeles Times. from the original on September 2, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  13. ^ Hazarika, Mrinmoyee (July 21, 2016). "Vector Space Systems completes Garvey Spacecraft acquisition". Aerospace Technology. from the original on September 21, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  14. ^ a b Hazarika, Mrinmoyee (August 18, 2016). "Vector Space Systems launches software defined satellites business unit". Aerospace Technology. from the original on August 19, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  15. ^ a b "Vector Space launches new software platform to support space entrepreneurs". Space Daily. August 19, 2016. from the original on August 20, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  16. ^ Wichner, David (April 22, 2017). "Tucson Tech: Rocket firm surging ahead on all fronts". Arizona Daily Star. from the original on May 1, 2017. Retrieved May 4, 2017.
  17. ^ Avery, Greg (October 17, 2016). "Space startups team up in $60 million launch deal". Denver Business Journal. from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved August 8, 2017.
  18. ^ Armstrong, Katie (August 8, 2016). "Vector Space Systems 3D printed a cheap mini rocket". 3D Printing Industry. from the original on August 9, 2017. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  19. ^ Grush, Loren (August 3, 2017). "Private spaceflight startup Vector pulls off second test of its micro-rocket". The Verge. from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  20. ^ a b Gebhardt, Chris (May 18, 2017). "Vector Space aims to expand launch ranges with minimal infrastructure pads". NasaSpaceflight.com. from the original on May 18, 2017. Retrieved May 19, 2017.
  21. ^ Foust, Jeff (February 20, 2018). "Vector planning first orbital launch this summer". Space News.
  22. ^ Leahy, Bart (May 5, 2017). "Vector Successfully Launches First Smallsat Rocket". Spaceflight Insider. from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  23. ^ Erwin, Sandra (August 7, 2019). "Vector Launch awarded its first U.S. Air Force mission". SpaceNews. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  24. ^ Berger, Eric (August 9, 2019). "Jim Cantrell has left Vector, and the company may be in financial trouble". Ars Technica. Retrieved August 9, 2019.
  25. ^ Foust, Jeff (February 24, 2020). "Lockheed to obtain Vector satellite assets". SpaceNews. Retrieved February 25, 2020.
  26. ^ a b "Vector". Vector.
  27. ^ https://dm.epiq11.com/case/vectorlaunch/dockets, Docket 574-2, page 40.
  28. ^ "Vector launch".
  29. ^ "Vector-H Forecasted Launch Service Guide" (PDF). Vector Space Systems. (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  30. ^ Rhian, Jason (March 27, 2017). "Space Florida Vector R-ing in on new launch provider from Cape Canaveral". Spaceflight Insider. from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  31. ^ Henry, Caleb (August 4, 2016). "Vector Space Systems Wins 21-Launch Agreement from Iceye". Via Satellite. from the original on September 11, 2016. Retrieved September 3, 2016.
  32. ^ a b "Patent Database Search Results: AN/"vector launch" in US Patent Collection". patft.uspto.gov.
  33. ^ "StackPath". www.intelligent-aerospace.com.
  34. ^ Fernholz, Tim (October 26, 2018). "The space industry's new bet: putting an "app store" in orbit". Quartz. from the original on June 12, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  35. ^ Wichner, David. "Tucson Tech: Vector sues aerospace giant Lockheed over mini-satellite tech". Arizona Daily Star.
  36. ^ a b "Vector isn't eager for legal fight with Lockheed Martin". SpaceNews.com. April 10, 2019.
  37. ^ "Satellite Startup Launches Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Lockheed". June 13, 2019.
  38. ^ "Vector and Citrix to Bring Virtualization Software Technology to Micro Satellites: @VMblog". vmblog.com.
  39. ^ "Vector Launches the World's First Software Defined Satellite".
  40. ^ "Robert Cleave Named VP for Lockheed Commercial Space". SpaceNews.com. February 12, 2015.
  41. ^ "Lockheed Vet Robert Cleave Joins Space Firm Vector as Chief Revenue Officer".
  42. ^ NewSpace Networks
  43. ^ "Home - NewSpace Networks". NewSpace Networks.
  44. ^ Networks, NewSpace. "NewSpace Networks Raising $200M Sets Sights On Space Ecosystem". www.prnewswire.com.
  45. ^ Kramer, Miriam. "NewSpace Networks aims to make data collection and communication from space more efficient". Axios.
  46. ^ Hitchens, Theresa. "Space Software Startup To Pursue SDA Contracts".

External links

  • Official website

February 28, 2023
vector, launch, formerly, vector, space, systems, american, space, technology, company, which, aims, launch, suborbital, orbital, payloads, declared, bankruptcy, december, 2019, emerged, october, 2020, typeprivateindustryaerospacefoundedmarch, 2016, years, 201. Vector Launch Inc formerly Vector Space Systems is an American space technology company which aims to launch suborbital and orbital payloads Vector Launch declared bankruptcy in December 2019 4 and re emerged in October 2020 5 Vector Launch Inc TypePrivateIndustryAerospaceFoundedMarch 2 2016 6 years ago 2016 03 02 HeadquartersTucson Arizona U S Key peopleJohn Garvey CEO Jim Cantrell former CEO Eric Besnard CTO 1 Robert SpaldingProductsVector R 2 Vector H 3 Websitevector launch wbr com Contents 1 History 1 1 Bankruptcy 1 2 Post bankruptcy 2 Services 2 1 Launchers 2 2 GalacticSky 3 See also 4 References 5 External linksHistory EditThe company s first CEO was Jim Cantrell 6 who co founded the company with John Garvey Shaun Coleman Ken Sunshine and Eric Besnard 7 Cantrell had previously helped Elon Musk found SpaceX in 2001 8 Vector Launch Inc received US 1 million in seed angel funding from entrepreneur Shaun Coleman soon after its foundation in 2016 and additionally US 21 million million from Sequoia Capital Shasta Ventures and Lightspeed Venture Partners in June 2017 9 10 It had offices in Tucson Arizona 11 and an engineering facility in Huntington Beach California 12 In July 2016 Vector acquired Garvey Spacecraft 13 and began designing rockets based on Garvey s designs 6 The company was also investing in software capabilities It had a platform called Galactic Sky located in San Jose California which was developing software defined satellites to provide start ups and entrepreneurs with satellite capabilities 14 15 In 2017 Cantrell signed a letter of intent to collaborate with his son s cryptocurrency company called Nexus that was attempting to develop a satellite supported currency exchange system 16 needs update In 2016 York Space Systems signed a 60 million launch deal with Vector to launch six satellites into orbit which was never funded 17 By August 2016 Vector had tested hardware in suborbital flight with the launch of its P 20 prototype rocket as well as atmospheric test flights of the Vector R when from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California and Spaceport Camden in Georgia 6 7 18 19 By 2017 Vector had announced that it planned to use the LC 46 launch site in Florida for its Vector R rocket starting in 2018 20 but did not achieve that target date Additionally Vector was investigating 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 citation needed By February 2018 the company was planning to launch the first orbital flight of the Vector R in July 2018 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska needs update 21 As of 2017 update the first launch of the Vector H was expected to occur in 2019 22 needs update On August 7 2019 the company was awarded its first U S Air Force mission to launch the ASLON 45 spacecraft for 3 4 million 23 However the contract was cancelled when the US Air Force determined Vector did not meet minimum requirements for solvency On August 9 2019 Cantrell left Vector Launch and John Garvey assumed the role of CEO The future of the company was left uncertain as it reportedly faced serious financial problems 24 Bankruptcy Edit On December 13 2019 Vector Launch Inc and one affiliated company filed Chapter 11 bankruptcy in the United States District Court for the District of Delaware It was revealed that the August layoffs had been precipitated by the withdrawal of financial support by Sequoia Capital one of the company s largest investors which led other potential investors to back out of an upcoming funding round in a domino effect Vector has filed a motion with the court for approval to sell its assets pursuant to Section 363 of the US bankruptcy code a provision that allows for the orderly sale of assets from a bankrupt estate The stalking horse bidder is Lockheed Martin 4 Lockheed Martin acquired Vector s GalacticSky assets by default after a bankruptcy court received no qualified bids 25 Another bidder acquired the remaining launch vehicle assets On October 29 2020 Vector re emerged with a new CEO to focus the company on suborbital and orbital flight 26 Post bankruptcy Edit On October 29 2020 Robert Spalding announced that Vector Launch is focused on suborbital and eventually orbital flight and is targeting both the governmental and commercial sectors 26 On January 11 2021 Vector s remaining shareholders unanimously voted on a wind down plan 27 Services EditLaunchers Edit The company plans 28 to provide launch services with two rockets the smaller Vector R and the larger Vector H Both rockets use a single engine for their second stage and a cluster of engines three in the Vector R and six in the Vector H for their first stage all of which use LOX and propylene as propellants 29 Vector planned to recover the first stage of its rockets for reuse 8 9 Other notable design features include a carbon fiber structure some 3D printed engine parts minimal infrastructure launch pads and a fast launch cadence which the company had hoped to reach 100 launches per year 10 20 30 The first client of Vector was Iceye a company in Finland 31 GalacticSky Edit Vector developed a patented 32 software defined satellite operating system called GalacticSky so that its planned micro satellites can run different applications Managed by Vector s initial investor and co founder Shaun Coleman 33 GalacticSky was intended to allow customers to quickly test software applications for satellites without having to develop their own hardware 14 15 34 Following a lawsuit filed by Vector against Lockheed Martin for violating GalacticSky patents 35 36 37 and Vector s bankruptcy Lockheed Martin expressed interest in acquiring GalacticSky for 2 5 million assuming no higher bidder appears 4 Several members of the former GalacticSky team including the primary author of many of its patents 32 and a Vector co founder chief sales marketing officer and SVP general manager of GalacticSky Shaun Coleman 36 38 39 former GalacticSky VP of engineering John Metzger former Vector chief revenue officer and Lockheed VP of Advanced programs 40 Robert Cleave 41 have since founded NewSpace Networks 42 a company focused on extending the cloud and making satellite networks more efficient 43 44 45 NewSpace Networks intends to bid for the GalacticSky assets against Lockheed Martin 46 See also EditFirefly Aerospace American private aerospace company PLD Space Private Spanish launch services provider Relativity Space Private American launch vehicle manufacturer Rocket Lab New Zealand and American private spaceflight company bluShift AerospaceReferences Edit Executive Team Vector Launch Archived from the original on August 9 2019 Retrieved August 9 2019 Vector R Rapid Vector Launch Archived from the original on August 9 2019 Retrieved August 9 2019 Vector H Heavy Vector Launch Archived from the original on August 9 2019 Retrieved August 9 2019 a b c Foust Jeff December 13 2019 Vector files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy SpaceNews Retrieved December 13 2019 Vector Launch True Story Twitter a b c Van Wagenen Juliet August 15 2016 Vector Space Systems Lays Out Big Plans for Tiny Rockets Via Satellite Archived from the original on September 11 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 a b Fernholz Tim August 6 2016 The next big thing in space business is tiny rockets Quartz Archived from the original on September 2 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 a b Berger Eric April 26 2016 While SpaceX eyes its BFR an early employee now pursues an SFR Ars Technica Archived from the original on May 11 2017 Retrieved June 15 2017 a b Coldewey Devin April 26 2016 Vector Space Systems aims to launch satellites by the hundreds TechCrunch Archived from the original on September 15 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 a b Vance Ashlee June 29 2017 SpaceX Vet s Startup Readies Small Rockets for Takeoff Bloomberg Archived from the original on July 9 2017 Retrieved July 7 2017 Foust Jeff July 22 2016 Vector Space Systems plans 2018 first flight of small launch vehicle Space News Masunaga Samantha July 22 2016 Southern California s aerospace industry long in decline begins to stir Los Angeles Times Archived from the original on September 2 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 Hazarika Mrinmoyee July 21 2016 Vector Space Systems completes Garvey Spacecraft acquisition Aerospace Technology Archived from the original on September 21 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 a b Hazarika Mrinmoyee August 18 2016 Vector Space Systems launches software defined satellites business unit Aerospace Technology Archived from the original on August 19 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 a b Vector Space launches new software platform to support space entrepreneurs Space Daily August 19 2016 Archived from the original on August 20 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 Wichner David April 22 2017 Tucson Tech Rocket firm surging ahead on all fronts Arizona Daily Star Archived from the original on May 1 2017 Retrieved May 4 2017 Avery Greg October 17 2016 Space startups team up in 60 million launch deal Denver Business Journal Archived from the original on August 9 2017 Retrieved August 8 2017 Armstrong Katie August 8 2016 Vector Space Systems 3D printed a cheap mini rocket 3D Printing Industry Archived from the original on August 9 2017 Retrieved September 3 2016 Grush Loren August 3 2017 Private spaceflight startup Vector pulls off second test of its micro rocket The Verge Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 9 2018 a b Gebhardt Chris May 18 2017 Vector Space aims to expand launch ranges with minimal infrastructure pads NasaSpaceflight com Archived from the original on May 18 2017 Retrieved May 19 2017 Foust Jeff February 20 2018 Vector planning first orbital launch this summer Space News Leahy Bart May 5 2017 Vector Successfully Launches First Smallsat Rocket Spaceflight Insider Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 9 2018 Erwin Sandra August 7 2019 Vector Launch awarded its first U S Air Force mission SpaceNews Retrieved August 9 2019 Berger Eric August 9 2019 Jim Cantrell has left Vector and the company may be in financial trouble Ars Technica Retrieved August 9 2019 Foust Jeff February 24 2020 Lockheed to obtain Vector satellite assets SpaceNews Retrieved February 25 2020 a b Vector Vector https dm epiq11 com case vectorlaunch dockets Docket 574 2 page 40 Vector launch Vector H Forecasted Launch Service Guide PDF Vector Space Systems Archived PDF from the original on March 27 2018 Retrieved June 9 2018 Rhian Jason March 27 2017 Space Florida Vector R ing in on new launch provider from Cape Canaveral Spaceflight Insider Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 9 2018 Henry Caleb August 4 2016 Vector Space Systems Wins 21 Launch Agreement from Iceye Via Satellite Archived from the original on September 11 2016 Retrieved September 3 2016 a b Patent Database Search Results AN vector launch in US Patent Collection patft uspto gov StackPath www intelligent aerospace com Fernholz Tim October 26 2018 The space industry s new bet putting an app store in orbit Quartz Archived from the original on June 12 2018 Retrieved June 9 2018 Wichner David Tucson Tech Vector sues aerospace giant Lockheed over mini satellite tech Arizona Daily Star a b Vector isn t eager for legal fight with Lockheed Martin SpaceNews com April 10 2019 Satellite Startup Launches Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Lockheed June 13 2019 Vector and Citrix to Bring Virtualization Software Technology to Micro Satellites VMblog vmblog com Vector Launches the World s First Software Defined Satellite Robert Cleave Named VP for Lockheed Commercial Space SpaceNews com February 12 2015 Lockheed Vet Robert Cleave Joins Space Firm Vector as Chief Revenue Officer NewSpace Networks Home NewSpace Networks NewSpace Networks Networks NewSpace NewSpace Networks Raising 200M Sets Sights On Space Ecosystem www prnewswire com Kramer Miriam NewSpace Networks aims to make data collection and communication from space more efficient Axios Hitchens Theresa Space Software Startup To Pursue SDA Contracts External links EditOfficial website Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Vector Launch amp oldid 1119859701, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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