Vector Launch (formerly Vector Space Systems)

[ChrisWilson68]

Some titbits from Space show interview 19Mar.
Fuel LOX/ Propylene. ISP high 200s. Autogenous pressurized, no He or exploding He tanks to worry about. Simple low cost pressure fed engine.

Here's the link http://www.thespaceshow.com/show/19-mar-2017/broadcast-2885-jim-cantrell-vector-space-systems

First test flight planned for first week of April!

Edit: focus for 2017 is suborbital flights; orbital 2018

Step 1. Steal underpantsSuborbital flights
Step 2. ?
Step 3. ProfitOrbital flights

I don't see any problem with that plan.  It's not like there's some enormous gap between steps 1 and 3, is there?

[ChrisWilson68]

A mock-up that flies is a pretty good thing to have for many reasons, no? Before committing to huge tooling expenses, getting data on how the aero shape performs through initial stages of flight sounds like not a bad plan. In addition putting engine, GSE, and electronics through it's paces, too.

In this day and age, is there really any doubt about the aero shape performance of something that looks like dozens of different missiles with extensive flight history?

This seems more like PR to me than anything that's actually engineering-driven.  And it's PR you don't see any of the other small launcher start-ups doing.

[ringsider]

Some titbits from Space show interview 19Mar.
Fuel LOX/ Propylene. ISP high 200s. Autogenous pressurized, no He or exploding He tanks to worry about. Simple low cost pressure fed engine.

Here's the link http://www.thespaceshow.com/show/19-mar-2017/broadcast-2885-jim-cantrell-vector-space-systems

First test flight planned for first week of April!

Edit: focus for 2017 is suborbital flights; orbital 2018

Lots of blowharding, no way they are orbital by 2018.

I liked the irony of the bit where he said "there's some stealth projects out there, I know all about them" - this is the same guy who had his business plan plastered all over the WWW....

[su27k]

I liked the irony of the bit where he said "there's some stealth projects out there, I know all about them" - this is the same guy who had his business plan plastered all over the WWW....

I'm not sure I see the irony here, I thought the business plan was leaked by the government? Hardly his fault.

I do wonder who is the stealth mode small launcher company he mentioned...

[Ragmar]

Relativity Space?

[Chris Bergin]

MEDIA ADVISORY

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to Accept Delivery of
Vector-R Rocket

Monday, March 27

WHAT:                      Capture the arrival of the Vector-R launch vehicle to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Monday, March 27. The rocket will be on display prior to its installation at the NASA Now exhibit.

NASA Now tells the evolving story of the future of space exploration, immersing guests in the science of current missions to the International Space Station (ISS) and upcoming missions to explore deep space. In 2018, Kennedy Space Center will once again launch astronauts into space. See test versions of the spacecraft created for the Commercial Crew Program and Space Launch System (SLS), the future transportation of NASA’s deep space exploration and journey to Mars.

The Vector-R launch vehicle will be the first ever commercial space rocket featured and the first representation of its creator, Vector, at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, when it goes on display this spring. Vector is a company that connects space startups and innovators with affordable and reliable space access. 

WHO:                         Spokespeople representing Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Vector and will be available for interviews, including Jim Cantrell, chief executive officer and co-founder of Vector

WHEN:                      Monday, March 27

11 a.m.            Media arrival begins

                        Photo opportunity with Vector begins (outside of IMAX west side)

11:45 a.m.       Raising of Vector rocket

1 p.m.              Photo opportunity concludes

WHERE:                   Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Outside of IMAX Theater adjacent to the Rocket Garden

[ringsider]

I liked the irony of the bit where he said "there's some stealth projects out there, I know all about them" - this is the same guy who had his business plan plastered all over the WWW....

I'm not sure I see the irony here, I thought the business plan was leaked by the government? Hardly his fault.

I do wonder who is the stealth mode small launcher company he mentioned...

I guess my point was it's easy to say "I know everything but I can't tell you what I know", but the only verifiable fact is that everybody knows everything about what Vector are doing.

Stealth: maybe he knows nothing - he dropped his (negative) views on pretty much everybody with a direct name check so why not name them if he knows something? Or maybe they are direct competitors and he doesn't want them to have any publicity? Relativity Space is deliberately stealthy, are they building small rockets that challenge his view that he is the only guy who can build 100,000 rockets a day?

[FutureSpaceTourist]

https://twitter.com/vectorspacesys/status/845620630330523648

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Vector CEO @jamesncantrell and co-founder & CTO John Garvey at LC-46 @SpaceFlorida stay tuned for news conference.

https://twitter.com/vectorspacesys/status/845641590504853504

[FutureSpaceTourist]

"Who needs complex launch infrastructure? We bring our own!" Sincerely, The Vector-R

https://twitter.com/vectorspacesys/status/845644232887058432

[savuporo]

"Who needs complex launch infrastructure? We bring our own!" Sincerely, The Vector-R

Interesting

[Robotbeat]

Yeah, basically a repeat of SpaceX's showy tactics in early company history. Worked out for them, though.

[savuporo]

Yeah, basically a repeat of SpaceX's showy tactics in early company history. Worked out for them, though.

Very similar, on multiple counts. There was a dog and pony show of dragging Falcon 1 shell to DC and erect it somewhere at some point, also quite a bit of boasting about how the launch control room and team fit in a truck trailer.
The only thing Vector still needs to emulate is picking a remote tropical location for initial orbital attempts. Alaska wont bring the viewers.

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Report on today's announcement:

http://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2017/03/25/vector-may-build-launch-rockets-space-coast/99555252/

VSS' tweet:

Vector CEO @jamesncantrell announcing we will launch out of LC-46 starting in 2018 & exploring building mfg integration facilities in FL

https://twitter.com/vectorspacesys/status/845658710718468101

[catdlr]

Vector Space Systems Brings Vector-R Rocket To Kennedy Space Center

Matthew Travis

Published on Mar 28, 2017
Vector Space Systems Brings Vector-R Rocket To Kennedy Space Center. Includes video of Vector-R raising to vertical and questions & answer with Vector CEO Jim Cantrell.

Video Credit: Matthew Travis / Zero-G News

[catdlr]

Vector Space Vector-R Arrives at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, March 27-28, 2017
 
SpaceKSCBlog

Published on Mar 28, 2017
On March 27, 2017, a test article version of the Vector Space Vector-R rocket arrived at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. This video shows the arrival, and then next day its display in the IMAX theater.

[ringsider]

Truly amazing the attention they draw on themselves for what is basically an empty aluminum tube...

[CameronD]

Truly amazing the attention they draw on themselves for what is basically an empty aluminum tube...

Ah, but you must admit it's a very impressive (and nicely painted) empty aluminium tube..

[FutureSpaceTourist]

Rocket Mechanics @vectorspacesys  getting Block 0.1 vehicle ready to ship out Monday. Stay tuned for flight #space

https://twitter.com/jamesncantrell/status/848624731221667840

[FutureSpaceTourist]

First launch Thursday: http://linkis.com/com/I1Qya

Here's just part of above page, describing Block 0 and first launch.

Vector-R Block 0 First Launch
 
The Vector-R Block 0.1 ships out Monday to the FAR Test Site near Mojave California for launch on Thursday. This will be a major milestone and achievement in the company coming only one year after we first incorporated.  This achievement was possible with the combination of a highly experienced Vector Team and a large inventory of pre-existing propulsion and vehicle technology and experienced team acquired from the Garvey Spacecraft Corporation last year. 

This Block 0 vehicle is the first in a test series being carried out this year to incrementally test flight systems for the orbital Block 1 launchers (2018) and gather operational experience with full scale vehicles.  This vehicle has a Block 1 first stage engine and engine controls, the Block 1 flight computers and the full scale Block 1 airframe (made from aluminum instead of carbon fiber to conserve money).  The vehicle is flying under an FAA waiver which permits us to rapidly fly prototypes in airspace without the lengthy approvals of the full flight vehicles.  With this regulatory convenience, we will be able to fly a number of very significant flights that will eventually lead to a near orbital Block 0 flight early next year.

Stay tuned as we become the FIRST of the new crop of SmallSat launch vehicles to make a full scale demonstration launch !