Vector Launch

Vector Launch, Inc.
Company type	Private
Industry	Aerospace
Founded	2016
Founder	John Garvey, Shaun Coleman, Ken Sunshine, Eric Besnard, Jim Cantrell
Fate	Filed for bankruptcy in December 2019; resumed operations October 2020
Headquarters	Tucson, United States
Area served	Suborbital and orbital payload deployment
Key people	John Garvey (CEO), Shaun Coleman (board member), Robert Spalding (executive leadership post-2020)
Products	Vector-R rocket, Vector-H rocket, GalacticSky software platform

Vector Launch, Inc. (previously known as Vector Space Systems) is a U.S.-based aerospace firm specializing in the deployment of suborbital and orbital payloads. The company filed for bankruptcy in December 2019 but resumed operations in October 2020.

History

Established in 2016 by John Garvey, Shaun Coleman, Ken Sunshine, Eric Besnard, and its inaugural CEO Jim Cantrell—who had a role in assisting Elon Musk with the founding of SpaceX—Vector secured $1 million in initial seed capital from Shaun Coleman and raised an additional $21 million in 2017 from investors including Sequoia Capital, Shasta Ventures, and Lightspeed Venture Partners. The company maintained offices in Tucson, Arizona, alongside an engineering center located in Huntington Beach, California. In July 2016, Vector acquired Garvey Spacecraft and began developing rockets derived from their designs.

In addition to hardware, Vector expanded its software capabilities through the Galactic Sky platform based in San Jose, California, focusing on software-defined satellite technologies for startup companies. In 2016, York Space Systems entered into a $60 million contract with Vector for six satellite launches; however, the agreement was never financially realized.

By August 2016, Vector conducted suborbital testing of its P-20 prototype rocket and performed atmospheric test flights of the Vector-R at Mojave Air and Space Port and Spaceport Camden. The company intended to initiate Vector-R launches from Florida’s LC-46 launch site starting in 2018 but failed to meet this timeline. Additionally, Vector explored launch pad concepts requiring minimal infrastructure by utilizing mobile semi-trailers or ocean barges.

By early 2018, Vector aimed for the inaugural orbital flight of the Vector-R in July 2018 from Alaska’s Pacific Spaceport Complex; the larger Vector-H vehicle was anticipated to launch in 2019. On August 7, 2019, Vector secured a $3.4 million contract from the U.S. Air Force to deploy the ASLON-45 spacecraft; however, this contract was later rescinded due to concerns regarding the company’s financial stability.

On August 9, 2019, CEO Jim Cantrell stepped down, with John Garvey stepping into the leadership role amid reports of significant financial challenges facing the organization.

Bankruptcy

Vector Launch Inc., along with an affiliated entity, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection on December 13, 2019, in the U.S. District Court for Delaware. The layoffs earlier that August were precipitated by Sequoia Capital withdrawing its funding commitment, which led other investors to pull back from a planned financing round. The company sought court authorization to sell its assets under Section 363 of the bankruptcy code. Lockheed Martin served as the stalking horse bidder and acquired Vector’s GalacticSky assets by default after no competing qualified bids were submitted. A separate purchaser acquired the remaining launch vehicle assets.

Vector re-entered the market on October 29, 2020, under new executive leadership with a renewed emphasis on both suborbital and orbital missions.

Post-bankruptcy

On October 29, 2020, Robert Spalding announced Vector’s strategic pivot toward suborbital flights initially and eventual orbital operations targeting government and commercial sectors.

On January 11, 2021, shareholders unanimously approved a formal wind-down plan.

By October 11, 2022, Vector highlighted a focus on national security missions and appointed Shaun Coleman—original investor and former GalacticSky General Manager—to its board of directors.

On March 7, 2023, Ursa Major Technologies—a U.S.-based rocket engine manufacturer—revealed plans to supply multiple "Hadley" engines rated at 5,000 pounds of thrust each for use on Vector-R main stages to support forthcoming national security launch requirements.

Launch Vehicles

The company intended to offer launch solutions through two rocket models: the smaller Vector-R and the larger Vector-H. Both rockets featured a single engine powering the second stage, while their first stages utilized engine clusters—three engines on the Vector-R and six on the Vector-H—propelled by liquid oxygen (LOX) combined with propylene fuel.

Vector's design strategy focused on recovering and reusing the rockets' first stage. Notable engineering elements included a carbon fiber framework, components produced via 3D printing for the engines, launch pads requiring minimal ground infrastructure, and an ambitious target of conducting up to 100 launches annually. The Finnish satellite operator Iceye was secured as their initial customer.

GalacticSky

Vector created GalacticSky, a proprietary software-defined operating system for satellites that enables micro-satellites to execute multiple applications simultaneously. Overseen by co-founder and investor Shaun Coleman, this platform allowed clients to trial satellite software without necessitating physical hardware construction. The technology was protected by over 40 granted patents.

After Vector filed for bankruptcy and initiated a patent infringement suit against Lockheed Martin, Lockheed showed interest in acquiring GalacticSky for $2.5 million, contingent upon the absence of higher competing offers.

A group of former GalacticSky personnel, including principal patent holders and executives such as Shaun Coleman and John Metzger, established NewSpace Networks, which concentrated on enhancing cloud integration and optimizing satellite network performance. Although NewSpace Networks planned to submit a bid for GalacticSky's assets, Lockheed Martin ultimately secured ownership of the technology.

External links

Official website