In May of 2016, a company was formed to connect space startups with affordable, launch-enabling platforms and vehicles for accessing space at a cost and a schedule that was never before possible—the company is Vector Space Systems.
This smallsat space launch company is comprised of NewSpace industry veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas and Sea Launch, and the firm has now finalized their acquisition of Garvey Spacecraft Corporation. The acquisition allows Vector Space Systems to accelerate their mission of fostering innovation to spark growth in the space commerce industry through reliable and frequent launch opportunities. As part of the acquisition, Garvey Spacecraft Corporation Founder and CEO John Garvey joins Vector Space Systems as Chief Technology Officer.
Vector Space Systems has already begun engine-level static fire testing and is working toward the start of sub-orbital test flights that will pathfind operations and manifest key technology experiments in Q3 2016. This will be followed by large-scale sub-orbital test flights in 2017 and orbital launches in 2018.
Garvey Spacecraft Corporation specializes in aerospace research to develop advanced space technologies and launch vehicle systems. Since the firm's founding in 2000, the firm has provided engineering, technical support, project management and hardware prototyping services to NASA, DARPA, the US Air Force and multiple commercial customers with the long-term goal of building and operating a commercially-viable Nanosat Launch Vehicle (NLV).
Vector Space systems will inherit the NLV design as their first launch vehicle, the "Vector 1," while leveraging Garvey Spacecraft's propulsion technologies, successful advancement and flight track-record, as well as decades of research and development required for Vector Space System's micro satellite launch vehicle.
As indicated by Jim Cantrell, the CEO and co-founder of Vector Space Systems, through the extensive knowledge, designs, hardware, flight experience and flight prototypes acquired from Garvey Spacecraft Corporation, Vector Space Systems has seen accelerated success within just three months of its founding, positioning us as a leading launch vehicle for the microsatellite industry. The two companies share a common vision of space commerce growth, and by joining forces, a team of experienced space veterans, cutting edge proven designs and prototype vehicles are present, all of which have accelerated the time to first orbital launch to only two years, down from the typical five to seven years from a clean sheet vehicle design.
By combining resources, Vector Space Systems will bring to market a powerful launch platform, leveraging years of development and research to complete the original vision of a purpose built commercial nanosat launch vehicle, reported John Garvey, who added that even in the short time the companies have been working together, both have been able to expand their capabilities and have made significant progress on a number of key technical and operational fronts.
Tarry Not At All... Cement SmallSat Symposium Into Your Schedule
February 6 (Workshops), 2017
February 7 & 8 (Symposium), 2017
Within the smallsat community, those who hesitate in preparing and planning their next business moves within such a dynamic environment could well be "left behind."
To assist in acquiring the knowledge and expertise to enter and/or continue the acquisition of technology and product to become a successful smallsat actor, Satnews Publishers is delighted to announce that the SmallSat Symposium workshops will be held on February 6 and the conference will be conducted from February 7 to February 8, 2017, at the Computer History Museum, which is located at 1401 North Shoreline Boulevard in Mountain View, California.
A veritable "Who's Who" of subject-matter experts have already committed to presentations during this impact-filled symposium.
Accepted Speakers To Date
- Chad Anderson, Managing Director Space Angels Network
- Jason Andrews, CEO Spaceflight Industries
- David A. Anhalt, Vice President and General Manager Iridium PRIME
- Chris Baugh, President NSR - Northern Sky Research
- Peter Beck, CEO & CTO Rocket Lab
- Dr. Sami BenAmor, Director of Marketing Thales Alenia Space
- John Booher, Partner Hogan Lovells
- Dr. Sean Casey, Managing Director Silicon Valley Space Center
- Carissa Christensen, Managing Partner The Tauri Group
- Craig Clark, Founder Clyde Space Ltd.
- Mike Collett, Founder and Managing Partner Promus Ventures
- James Crawford, Founder and CEO Orbital Insight
- Randy Culver, CEO AMERGINT Technologies
- Stuart Daughtridge, Senior VP Advanced Technology Kratos
- Dr. Lars Dyrud, CEO OmniEarth
- Dr. Shahin Farshchi, Partner Lux Capital
- Dr. Jenny Gautier, Director of Commercial Programs The Aerospace Corporation
- Dr. Steve Goldberg, CEO & Co-Founder Venrock
- David Hartshorn, Secretary General GVF - Global VSAT Forum
- Susan J. Irwin, President Irwin Communications, Inc.
- John P. Janka, Partner Latham & Watkins LLP
- Adam Keith, Managing Director Euroconsult Canada
- Debra Facktor Lepore, VP and GM of Strategic Operations Ball Aerospace & Technologies Corp
- Tony Lin, Counsel, Washington, DC Hogan Lovells
- Dr. Clare Martin, Vice President of Programs Surrey Satellite Technology US
- Clayton Mowry, President Arianespace
- Carlos Niederstrasser, Business Development & Special Initiatives Orbital ATK
- Sunil Nagaraj, Vice President of Marketing and Communications Bessemer Venture Partners
- Dara A. Panahy, Partner Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy
- Will Pomerantz, Vice President for Special Projects Virgin Galactic
- Dr. Alex Saltman, Senior Vice President GeoOptics Inc.
- Randy S. Segal, Partner, Co-Lead Satellite Practice Hogan Lovells
- David Strobel, CEO and Program Manager (PM) Space Micro
- Chris Stott, Chairman & CEO (PM) ManSat
- Tom Stroup, President SIA - Satellite Industry Association
- Professor Sir Martin Sweeting, Founder and Executive Chairman Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd.
- Stig-Are Thrana, U.S. Sales Director and Head of Kongsberg Silicon Valley Office Kongsberg Satellite Services
- Dr. Joe Thurgood, Vice President Corporate Development and Marketing Hera Systems
- Dr. Marco Villa, President & COO Tyvak Nano-Satellite Systems
- Tony Wilkey, Senior Vice President AvL Technologies
- Bruce Yost, Project Manager NASA Ames Research Center
- Louis Zacharilla, Director of Development Society of Satellite Professionals International (SSPI)
Here's some particularly good news for interested parties — the first 100 registrants will qualify for a $200 discount on the standard event admission... take advantage of this offer... don't dawdle... and register now at this direct link.