Vector Launch Explained

Vector Launch, Inc.
Type:Private
Location:Tucson, Arizona, U.S.
Key People:John Garvey (CEO)
Jim Cantrell (former CEO)
Eric Besnard (CTO)[1] Robert Spalding
Shaun Coleman (GM, Investor, Board Member)[2]
Industry:Aerospace
Products:Vector-R,[3] Vector-H[4]

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 and re-emerged in October 2020.[5]

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 in seed angel funding from entrepreneur Shaun Coleman soon after its foundation in 2016 and additionally 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. 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] 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 from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California and Spaceport Camden in Georgia.[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.

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.[21], the first launch of the Vector-H was expected to occur in 2019.[22]

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.[25] Lockheed Martin acquired Vector's GalacticSky assets by default after a bankruptcy court received no qualified bids.[26] 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.

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.[27]

On January 11, 2021, Vector's remaining shareholders unanimously voted on a wind down plan.[28]

On October 11, 2022, Vector announced their renewed focus on national security related missions as well as the addition of Shaun Coleman, Vector's original investor and former General Manager of GalacticSky to their new board of directors [29]

On March 7, 2023, U.S. Rocket engine provider Ursa Major Technologies announced that they would supply several 5,000-pound thrust "Hadley" engines to power the main stage of Vector-R launch vehicles to demonstrate capabilities for future national security missions. [30]

Services

Launchers

The company plans[31] 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.[32]

Vector planned to recover the first stage of its rockets for reuse. 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.[33] The first client of Vector was Iceye, a company in Finland.[34]

GalacticSky

Vector developed a patented[35] 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[36] GalacticSky was intended to allow customers to quickly test software applications for satellites without having to develop their own hardware.[37] Over 40 patents were issued for GalacticSky and its capabilities [38] Following a lawsuit filed by Vector against Lockheed Martin for violating GalacticSky patents[39] [40] [41] and Vector's bankruptcy, Lockheed Martin expressed interest in acquiring GalacticSky for $2.5 million, assuming no higher bidder appears.

Several members of the former GalacticSky team including the primary author of many of its patents[35] and a Vector co-founder, chief sales/marketing officer and SVP/general manager of GalacticSky, Shaun Coleman,[40] [42] [43] former GalacticSky VP of engineering John Metzger, former Vector chief revenue officer, and Lockheed VP of Advanced programs[44] Robert Cleave[45] have since founded NewSpace Networks,[46] a company focused on extending the cloud and making satellite networks more efficient.[47] [48] [49] NewSpace Networks intends to bid for the GalacticSky assets against Lockheed Martin.[50] Ultimately the GalacticSky technology was acquired by Lockheed Martin.[51]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Executive Team . Vector Launch . https://web.archive.org/web/20190809235707/https://vector-launch.com/team/executive-team/ . August 9, 2019 . August 9, 2019 . live.
  2. Vector to Focus on National Security-Related Missions, Appoints Industry Veteran as CTO . globenewswire.com . 2022-10-18 . 2023-03-12.
  3. Web site: Vector-R (Rapid) . Vector Launch . https://web.archive.org/web/20190809235925/https://vector-launch.com/vector-r/ . August 9, 2019 . August 9, 2019 . live.
  4. Web site: Vector-H (Heavy) . Vector Launch . https://web.archive.org/web/20190809235946/https://vector-launch.com/vector-h/ . August 9, 2019 . August 9, 2019 . live.
  5. Web site: Vector Launch: True Story. Twitter.
  6. Web site: Vector Space Systems Lays Out Big Plans for Tiny Rockets . Juliet . Van Wagenen . August 15, 2016 . Via Satellite . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160911152030/http://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2016/08/15/vector-space-systems-lays-big-plans-tiny-rockets/ . 2016-09-11 . live .
  7. Web site: The next big thing in space business is tiny rockets . Tim . Fernholz . Quartz . August 6, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160902030138/http://qz.com/747513/the-next-big-thing-in-space-business-is-tiny-rockets/ . 2016-09-02 . live .
  8. Web site: While SpaceX eyes its "BFR," an early employee now pursues an "SFR" . Berger . Eric . . April 26, 2016 . 2017-06-15 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170511102645/https://arstechnica.com/science/2016/04/this-company-believes-baby-rockets-have-a-big-future-in-space/ . 2017-05-11 . live .
  9. Web site: Vector Space Systems aims to launch satellites by the hundreds . Devin . Coldewey . . April 26, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160915203207/https://techcrunch.com/2016/04/26/vector-space-systems-aims-to-launch-satellites-by-the-hundreds/ . 2016-09-15 . live .
  10. Web site: SpaceX Vet's Startup Readies Small Rockets for Takeoff . Ashlee . Vance . Ashlee Vance . Bloomberg . June 29, 2017 . 2017-07-07 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170709080900/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-06-29/spacex-vet-s-startup-readies-small-rockets-for-takeoff . 2017-07-09 . live .
  11. Web site: Vector Space Systems plans 2018 first flight of small launch vehicle . Foust . Jeff . July 22, 2016 . Space News.
  12. Web site: Southern California's aerospace industry, long in decline, begins to stir . Samantha . Masunaga . . July 22, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160902150916/http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-socal-aerospace-20160723-snap-story.html . 2016-09-02 . live .
  13. Web site: Vector Space Systems completes Garvey Spacecraft acquisition . Hazarika . Mrinmoyee . Aerospace Technology . July 21, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160921180641/http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newsvector-space-systems-completes-garvey-spacecraft-acquisition-4956179 . 2016-09-21 . live .
  14. Web site: Vector Space Systems launches software defined satellites business unit . Hazarika . Mrinmoyee . Aerospace Technology . August 18, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160819205035/http://www.aerospace-technology.com/news/newsvector-space-systems-launches-software-defined-satellites-business-unit-4982322 . 2016-08-19 . live .
  15. Web site: Vector Space launches new software platform to support space entrepreneurs . Space Daily . August 19, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160820194815/http://www.spacedaily.com/reports/Vector_Space_launches_new_software_platform_to_support_space_entrepreneurs_999.html . 2016-08-20 . live .
  16. Web site: Tucson Tech: Rocket firm surging ahead on all fronts . Wichner . David . . April 22, 2017 . 2017-05-04 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170501015111/http://tucson.com/business/tucson/tucson-tech-rocket-firm-surging-ahead-on-all-fronts/article_de90e345-7420-503c-814c-4980d936a58c.html . 2017-05-01 . live .
  17. Web site: Space startups team up in $60 million launch deal . Avery . Greg . Denver Business Journal . October 17, 2016 . 2017-08-08 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170809042444/https://www.bizjournals.com/denver/news/2016/10/17/space-startups-team-up-in-60-million-launch-deal.html . 2017-08-09 . live .
  18. Web site: Vector Space Systems 3D printed a cheap mini rocket . Armstrong . Katie . 3D Printing Industry . August 8, 2016 . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170809054818/https://3dprintingindustry.com/news/vector-space-systems-3d-printed-a-cheap-mini-rocket-91619/ . 2017-08-09 . live .
  19. Web site: Private spaceflight startup Vector pulls off second test of its micro-rocket . Grush . Loren . The Verge . August 3, 2017 . 2018-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142549/https://www.theverge.com/2017/8/3/16087390/vector-space-systems-micro-rockets-test-flight-camden-spaceport . 2018-06-12 . live .
  20. Web site: Vector Space aims to expand launch ranges with minimal infrastructure pads . Gebhardt . Chris . NasaSpaceflight.com . May 18, 2017 . 2017-05-19 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170518225048/https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2017/05/vector-space-expand-launch-ranges-infrastructure-pads/ . 2017-05-18 . live .
  21. Web site: Vector planning first orbital launch this summer . Foust . Jeff . Space News . February 20, 2018.
  22. Web site: Vector Successfully Launches First Smallsat Rocket . Leahy . Bart . Spaceflight Insider . May 5, 2017 . 2018-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612142534/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/organizations/vector/vector-successfully-launches-first-smallsat-rocket/ . 2018-06-12 . live .
  23. News: Erwin . Sandra . Vector Launch awarded its first U.S. Air Force mission . August 7, 2019 . August 9, 2019 . SpaceNews.
  24. Web site: Berger . Eric . Jim Cantrell has left Vector, and the company may be in financial trouble . . August 9, 2019 . August 9, 2019.
  25. Web site: Foust . Jeff . Vector files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy . . December 13, 2019 . December 13, 2019.
  26. Web site: Lockheed to obtain Vector satellite assets . Foust . Jeff . February 24, 2020 . SpaceNews . February 25, 2020.
  27. Web site: Vector. Vector.
  28. https://dm.epiq11.com/case/vectorlaunch/dockets, Docket 574-2, page 40.
  29. Web site: Vector to Focus on National Security-Related Missions, Appoints Industry Veteran as CTO . August 30, 2023 .
  30. U.S. Rocket Propulsion Company Ursa Major to Provide Engines to Vector Launch .
  31. Web site: Vector launch.
  32. Web site: Vector-H Forecasted Launch Service Guide . Vector Space Systems . 2018-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180327213347/https://vector-launch.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/VSS-2017-023-V2.0-Vector-H-Launch-Users-Guide-Rev-June-170613.pdf . 2018-03-27 . live .
  33. Web site: Space Florida Vector R-ing in on new launch provider from Cape Canaveral . Rhian . Jason . Spaceflight Insider . March 27, 2017 . 2018-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144225/http://www.spaceflightinsider.com/missions/commercial/space-florida-vector-r-ing-new-launch-provider-cape-canaveral/ . 2018-06-12 . live .
  34. Web site: Vector Space Systems Wins 21-Launch Agreement from Iceye . Caleb . Henry . August 4, 2016 . Via Satellite . 2016-09-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160911151449/http://www.satellitetoday.com/launch/2016/08/04/vector-space-systems-wins-21-launch-agreement-iceye/ . 2016-09-11 . live .
  35. Web site: Patent Database Search Results: AN/"vector launch" in US Patent Collection. patft.uspto.gov.
  36. Web site: StackPath. www.intelligent-aerospace.com. August 18, 2016 .
  37. Web site: The space industry's new bet: putting an "app store" in orbit . Fernholz . Tim . Quartz . October 26, 2018 . 2018-06-09 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180612143356/https://qz.com/819019/space-companies-like-vector-york-moon-express-and-even-united-launch-alliance-are-betting-on-an-app-store-model-for-the-space-business/ . 2018-06-12 . live.
  38. Web site: Patents Assigned to Vector Launch Inc. - Justia Patents Search .
  39. Web site: Tucson Tech: Vector sues aerospace giant Lockheed over mini-satellite tech. David. Wichner. Arizona Daily Star. April 13, 2019 .
  40. Web site: Vector isn't eager for legal fight with Lockheed Martin. April 10, 2019. SpaceNews.com.
  41. Web site: Satellite Startup Launches Patent Infringement Lawsuit Against Lockheed. June 13, 2019.
  42. Web site: Vector and Citrix to Bring Virtualization Software Technology to Micro Satellites: @VMblog. vmblog.com.
  43. Web site: Vector Launches the World's First Software Defined Satellite.
  44. Web site: Robert Cleave Named VP for Lockheed Commercial Space. February 12, 2015. SpaceNews.com.
  45. Web site: Lockheed Vet Robert Cleave Joins Space Firm Vector as Chief Revenue Officer. January 14, 2019 .
  46. http://www.newspacenetworks.com NewSpace Networks
  47. Web site: Home - NewSpace Networks. NewSpace Networks.
  48. NewSpace Networks Raising $200M Sets Sights On Space Ecosystem. NewSpace. Networks. www.prnewswire.com.
  49. Web site: NewSpace Networks aims to make data collection and communication from space more efficient. Miriam. Kramer. Axios. February 11, 2020 .
  50. Web site: Space Software Startup To Pursue SDA Contracts. Theresa. Hitchens. February 11, 2020 .
  51. Web site: Lockheed to obtain Vector satellite assets . February 24, 2020 .

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