Author Topic: Vector Launch (formerly Vector Space Systems)  (Read 402803 times)

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline ringsider

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #843 on: 10/13/2018 03:17 pm »
The "foreign competitor" just picked up an MOU with a pre-announced Vector customer:-

https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/york-space-systems-enters-memorandum-of-understanding-with-firefly-aerospace-300728286.html

That's the second early Vector announced customer to look elsewhere - Iceye did a call for information for other launchers a couple of months ago.

Offline ethan829

Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #844 on: 10/19/2018 01:21 pm »
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vector-secures-additional-70m-in-series-b-financing-led-by-kodem-growth-partners-300734109.html

Quote
Vector Secures Additional $70M in Series B Financing Led by Kodem Growth Partners

TUCSON, Ariz., Oct. 19, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- Vector, a leading microsatellite launch company comprised of New Space and enterprise software industry veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas, Boeing, Sea Launch and VMware, today announced that it has secured $70M in a Series B funding round led by Kodem Growth Partners, in conjunction with Morgan Stanley Alternative Investment Partners. Existing investors Sequoia Capital, Lightspeed Venture Partners and Shasta Ventures also participated in the round. This latest investment follows a surge in enthusiasm around Vector's unique approach to the space industry and will help further Vector's vision to fundamentally change the way space is accessed.

"Vector is entering an extremely important phase of our journey, transitioning from a focus on research and development to flight operations and profitability. This Series B financing is a critical element in Vector's mission to improve access to space and become a dominant launch provider to the small satellite industry," said Jim Cantrell, CEO and co-founder of Vector. "We appreciate the confidence that our existing Series A investors have shown in their support for Vector, including Sequoia, Lightspeed and Shasta Ventures. We're excited to welcome our new investors, Kodem Growth Partners, who bring deep industry expertise, tremendous financial backing and exposure to the capital markets consistent with our goal to make an initial public offering of Vector."

"Vector's solution for routine and affordable access to space is what motivated Sequoia to partner with Vector in their Series A," said Bill Coughran, Partner at Sequoia. "Since then, Vector has grown rapidly and we look forward to continuing the journey with this tenacious team."

"Low earth orbit satellite launches are projected to grow nearly four times in the next four years, but no dedicated launch platform exists with robust capability to get small satellites into space," said Alex Taussig, Partner at Lightspeed Venture Partners. "We believe in Vector's ability to capitalize on the tremendous customer interest through its launch services, which is why we've increased our investment in this round."

Capitalizing on the booming small satellite launch market, the Series B round saw investment from new investors, Kodem Growth Partners, who will help Vector achieve its ultimate goal of positioning the company for an eventual initial public offering. As part of the Series B financing round, Vector welcomes Philip Friedman, Operating Partner at Kodem Growth Partners, to its board of directors. Vector's current board includes Bill Coughran from Sequoia, James Palmer formerly of Northrop Grumman Corporation, as well as Jim Cantrell, John Garvey and Shaun Coleman from Vector.

"We view Vector as a true platform investment in a segment of the aerospace market that is undergoing rapid transformation driven by innovative private sector companies," said Philip Friedman, Operating Partner at Kodem Growth Partners. "It's an honor to join the board of directors and support the Vector team through this exciting time. Vector will be a leader in the launch and software defined satellite categories, which offers a tremendous opportunity for value creation."

In addition to raising its Series B funding, Vector has achieved several notable milestones since its Series A round including:

* Achieving many technical milestones and proving the ability to launch anywhere, anytime with the first launch of a rocket from Camden, Ga., and concept of operations at Vandenberg Air Force Base.

* Attracting key talent including Vice President of Manufacturing Brian Barron, who is leading efforts to industrialize the production of launch vehicles and factory operations.

* Expanding sales to Japan and other Asia markets, and securing several key customer wins and launch agreements.

* Executing strategic partnership with industry leader Citrix Systems.

* Expanding its footprint with new Silicon Valley headquarters to facilitate growth in sales and marketing, and also opening Vector's software defined satellite division, GalacticSky.

* Receiving 12 issued U.S. patents for Vector software defined satellite technology and critical launch vehicle components.

Over the next few months, Vector will expand its sales and marketing teams, effectively doubling its footprint in Silicon Valley. In addition, as the company enters into the production phase of its launch vehicles, Vector expects to break ground on its state-of-the-art factory in Tucson, AZ. This financing round also marks a critical milestone on Vector's journey towards its first orbital attempt, which will take place from the Pacific Spaceport Complex-Alaska.

Offline Davidthefat

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #845 on: 10/19/2018 01:42 pm »
$70 million on a B round? Holy... That $5 million shy of what Rocket Lab got for the D round...


Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #846 on: 10/19/2018 07:11 pm »
Quote
Morgan Stanley joins venture firms betting space start-up Vector can launch a lot of small rockets
Michael Sheetz   | @thesheetztweetz
Published 5 Hours Ago

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/10/19/morgan-stanley-is-betting-vector-can-launch-a-lot-of-small-rockets.html

Includes further investor quote on what attracted them:

Quote
"What drew us to Vector was the vision Jim Cantrell and John Garvey painted for us about how space communications and the satellite industry were fundamentally changing," Lightspeed partner Alex Taussig told CNBC. "They convinced us that there was this bottleneck, and if you solve the bottleneck then you will multiply the addressable market significantly."

Offline JH

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #847 on: 10/20/2018 06:29 pm »
Anyone seen an updated valuation?

Offline Lars-J

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #848 on: 10/20/2018 11:27 pm »
Includes further investor quote on what attracted them:

Quote
"What drew us to Vector was the vision Jim Cantrell and John Garvey painted for us about how space communications and the satellite industry were fundamentally changing," Lightspeed partner Alex Taussig told CNBC. "They convinced us that there was this bottleneck, and if you solve the bottleneck then you will multiply the addressable market significantly."

Yes, but the odds that Vector will be able to do that seems dubious. But I guess Cantrell is a good salesperson to those not familiar with Vectors accomplishments so far.

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #849 on: 10/22/2018 07:56 pm »
I’m not familiar with this type of agreement but I guess no (or minimal) exchange of funds is involved as none is mentioned?

Quote
Vector Signs Cooperative Research and Development Agreement with U.S. Air Force
October 22, 2018 by Kim Jennett

Latest agreement builds on Vector’s heritage of working with U.S. Department of Defense agencies

TUCSON, Ariz., October 23, 2018 – Vector today announced it has entered into a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the United States Air Force Space Command and Missile Systems Center’s Space Superiority Directorate. In addition to its nearly three-year partnership with Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, the CRADA with the Air Force highlights Vector’s continued efforts to develop critical technologies with the U.S Department of Defense.

Located at the Los Angeles Air Force Base in El Segundo Calif., the Space Missile Systems Center will engage in collaborative research and development activities relating to Vector’s launch services and the Air Force’s technology and mission needs. The CRADA is effective for one year and includes provisions for protecting information by both the Air Force and Vector.

Space and Missile Systems Center (SMC), a subordinate unit of Air Force Space Command, is the center of technical excellence for developing, acquiring, fielding and sustaining military space systems. SMC’s mission is to deliver resilient and affordable space capabilities. The center is responsible for on-orbit check-out, testing, sustainment and maintenance of military satellite constellations and other Department of Defense space systems.

# # # # # #

https://www.vector-launch.com/vector-signs-cooperative-research-and-development-agreement-with-u-s-air-force/
« Last Edit: 10/22/2018 07:58 pm by FutureSpaceTourist »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline xyv

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #851 on: 10/25/2018 01:02 am »
So what...maybe a 9 second test and they're going to be orbital before the end of the year?  While not plywood aerospike funny, this is pretty amusing to watch.  Now to be fueled with even more VC dollars.
« Last Edit: 10/25/2018 01:03 am by xyv »

Offline RDMM2081

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #852 on: 10/25/2018 05:23 pm »
There was an interesting reply tweet from them in that thread:

https://twitter.com/vectorspacesys/status/1054920124858159104

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline Lars-J

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #854 on: 10/30/2018 11:00 pm »
The support systems are already looking bigger. Soon it won't be that mobile.

EDIT: Attached the image from Jim Cantrell's tweet in the post above that I was responding to:
« Last Edit: 10/31/2018 03:07 am by Lars-J »

Online LouScheffer

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #855 on: 11/01/2018 02:11 pm »
The support systems are already looking bigger. Soon it won't be that mobile.

It's easy and appealing to say "sparse launch infrastructure", but it's hard to do.  Rockets are so performance sensitive that if any concern can be addresses by more on-ground stuff, that's always preferable to adding to the rocket.  The result is a sizeable ground infrastructure despite the best of intentions.

If I recall correctly, SpaceX originally wanted a launch to be performed by 9 guys in a trailer.  Now they have lots of pad infrastructure and a more-or-less conventional control center.   Likewise RocketLab has both significant ground launch and control infrastructure.  It's hard to imagine vector getting away with too much less. than this, from Electron's launch.
« Last Edit: 11/01/2018 02:11 pm by LouScheffer »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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Re: Vector Space Systems
« Reply #858 on: 11/03/2018 05:46 am »

Offline FutureSpaceTourist

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