Space launch company Led By New-Space Industry Veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas And Sea Launch

Vector Space Systems, a Micro Satellite space launch enterprise comprised of new-space industry veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas and Sea Launch, has secured more than $1 million in angel funding at Space 2.0 in Silicon Valley. Vector Space Systems, which sports a roster of technology and aerospace giants to provide industry insight, expertise and leadership, was formed to fundamentally change the dynamics and economics of the space launch industry.

More than just another satellite launch company, Vector Space Systems connects space startups with affordable and reliable launch-enabling platforms and vehicles at a cost point never before possible for accessing space.  Featuring the only launch system dedicated to serving the rapidly growing Micro satellite market, Vector Space Systems aims to foster innovation throughout the market segment to spark space commerce growth through reliable and frequent launch opportunities.  In addition, Vector Space Systems is developing a platform approach to broaden the access of space technology to non-experts, extending the traditional launch vehicle only model to include space systems that permit anyone to innovate and create space applications without the need for hiring an entirely new satellite development team.

The space industry as a whole, and micro space developers in particular, need a platform that not only provides the frequent and low cost access to space, but also lowers the technology barriers and need for specialized expertise to do what they do best – create applications and commerce in space. Vector Space Systems gives space startups a solution to the slow launch rates and fixed infrastructure of the large launch vehicles, providing platform products that will broaden the appeal of space commerce to both app builders and innovators.

Micro Satellites weighing less than 50 kg are forecast to account for 75 percent of all satellites launched by number by 2020 (Space Intelligence Report 2015).  The growth of the market is already here with 175 of these satellites launched in 2015 alone. This Micro Satellite market is perceived as filler to the larger launch vehicles, treated much like excess cargo that gets manifested where extra space is available. Vector Space Systems will specifically service the Micro Satellite market with low cost and frequent orbit launches that organizations can choose rather than force Micro Satellites onto orbit "bus rides" based on someone else's schedule and destination. 

"We see innovation and value creation being the strongest in the Micro Satellite sector and Vector Space Systems will create a development platform that will foster this innovation and bring the reality of space to a much larger pool of entrepreneurs who don't need to be space experts," said Jim Cantrell, Vector Space Systems CEO and founding member of SpaceX.

"Space need not be the realm of the elite, and privileged few any longer. Vector Space Systems was founded to break down those barriers by developing a platform to provide low cost and reliable access to orbit," said Shaun Coleman, Vector Space Systems Board Member and Investor. "I find Vector Space Systems to be similar in many ways to disruptive software technologies such as VMware, which saw the need to democratize and make more efficient the datacenter by allowing its customers to focus on applications and data, and not the underlying computer hardware. This innovative boundary breaking approach applied to space will enable startups and cost-conscious innovators alike to concentrate on what's most important – their unique applications. Today innovators may have to wait years to get their products to market and orbit; no longer. I look forward to being a part of this revolution of space shaping an environment that empowers the next generation of entrepreneurs."

"Space is an expanding economic frontier that is drawing the collective creativity and innovation of the commercial industries," said Nick Karangelan, CEO of Trident Systems. "What we need are technologies like those Vector Space Systems is bringing in order to lower the barrier of entry to space and to enable our technologies to fly and build profitable enterprises around the space technologies we possess. I'm investing in Vector Space Systems because it is the right team to make this happen and its technical approach is clearly heads and shoulders above the rest!"

The following are some of the industry veterans who will assist Vector Space Systems' development and go-to-market strategies to grow it into the leading space launch platform provider for customer focused, low cost, rapid, and reliable space vehicle deployment.

(Source: Vector Space Systems news release)

FMI: www.vectorspacesystems.com