TUCSON, Ariz., March 28, 2017 /PRNewswire/ — Vector, a micro satellite space launch company comprised of new-space and enterprise software industry veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas, Sea Launch and VMware, today announced an agreement with Spaceport Camden to conduct a sub-orbital flight test of Vector’s full-scale launch vehicle, the Vector-R, as early as this summer. This near-term flight test in Camden County, Georgia, is part of a series of incremental launches which will enable Vector to validate technology, mature launch vehicle design and operations, and evaluate candidate launch sites for the future.

“Building on years of research, Vector is continuing to work towards the next technical milestone in our development plan,” said John Garvey, co-founder and Chief Technology Officer of Vector. “Spaceport Camden’s support of Vector’s flight test will not only validate the engineering and technology behind our mission, but also propel Vector closer to an orbital capacity.”

This past Friday, the Camden County Board of Commissioners and County Administrator Steve Howard welcomed Vector to the future site of Spaceport Camden to conduct an initial set of ground operations on its full-scale Mechanical Engineering Unit (MEU) of the Vector-R rocket and the associated Transporter-Erector-Launcher (TEL). The visit was an opportunity to showcase the Vector-R launch system and concept of operations (CONOPS) to key members of the spaceport community, stimulate discussions regarding future launch operations and familiarize Vector personnel with Spaceport Camden.

“Vector is an ideal partner for Spaceport Camden,” said County Administrator and Spaceport Camden Project Lead, Steve Howard. “The small satellite market is already a $2.2 billion sector of the space economy and expected to grow to $5.3 billion over the next 5 years. Vector is a leader in this emerging market and we hope Camden County will be the home of not only Vector, but dozens of small satellite manufacturers, technology support providers, and sub-component suppliers.”

About VectorFounded by the original SpaceX founding team, Vector is a disruptive company that connects space startups and innovators with affordable and reliable launch services, enabling platforms and vehicles to access space at a price never before possible. For more information, visit https://www.vectorspacesystems.com/.

About Spaceport Camden:Our Vision is to develop a successful world class spaceport through a public-private partnership that establishes Camden County as the Commercial Space Center of the United States. Our Mission is to create the premier spaceport strategically positioned to provide economic diversity with a competitive advantage for the space sector, Camden County, the State of Georgia and the United States of America. For more information, please view our website at www.SpaceportCamden.us.

 

SOURCE Vector Space Systems