Vector Launch

Vector Launch is a technology company.

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Updated: Dec 9, 2025 ·

Recent News & Mentions

Oct 1, 2018FundingVector Launch - Series B Jun 1, 2017FundingVector Launch - Series A Apr 1, 2017FundingVector Launch - Seed Nov 1, 2016FundingVector Launch - Seed

Financial History

Vector Launch has raised $97.0M across 4 funding rounds. Most recently, it raised $70.0M Series B in October 2018.

Total Raised

$97.0M

Valuation

N/A

Funding Rounds Raised

Date	Round	Other Investors
Oct 1, 2018	$70.0M Series B	Accel, America's Frontier Fund, Core Ventures, FPV Fund, Sequoia Capital, Shasta Ventures, SV Angel, Unusual Ventures, Webb Investment Network, Tracy Young
Jun 1, 2017	$21.0M Series A	Accel, America's Frontier Fund, Core Ventures, FPV Fund, Sequoia Capital, Shasta Ventures, SV Angel, Unusual Ventures, Webb Investment Network, Tracy Young
Apr 1, 2017	$5.0M Seed	AYANA Capital LLC, Brewer Lane Ventures, Cervin Ventures, Lux Capital, Trucks Venture Capital
Nov 1, 2016	$1.0M Seed	AYANA Capital LLC, Brewer Lane Ventures, Cervin Ventures, Lux Capital, Trucks Venture Capital

Financial History

Vector Launch has raised $97.0M across 4 funding rounds.

Total Raised

$97.0M

Valuation

N/A

Deep Dive

High-Level Overview

Vector Launch is a U.S.-based space technology company founded in 2016 that develops small satellite launch vehicles and a software-defined satellite platform called GalacticSky to provide affordable access to orbit for startups and innovators.[1][2][3] It builds rockets like the Vector-R (capable of 200 kg to LEO at ~$1.5M per launch) and Vector-H, using LOX/propylene propellants, targeting microsatellites up to 45 kg in LEO, while serving commercial, government, and space startup customers by solving high launch costs and long wait times that hinder space application development.[2][3][5] The company filed for bankruptcy in December 2019 amid delays but re-emerged in 2020 under new ownership, with assets acquired by TLS Bidco; as of 2025, it remains dormant or in slow development with no confirmed launches, though second-stage integration was noted in 2023.[2][3][4][5]

Origin Story

Vector Launch, originally Vector Space Systems, was founded in March 2016 in Huntington Beach, California, by Jim Cantrell (early SpaceX collaborator and investor in Skybox/Planet Labs, BlackSky), John Garvey, Shaun Coleman, Ken Sunshine (ex-Virgin Galactic, Orbital Sciences), and Eric Besnard (former NASA/Air Force engineer).[2][3] The idea emerged to democratize space access with low-cost launches for the small satellite boom, acquiring Garvey Spacecraft in 2016 to base designs on its propulsion tech and raising $21M Series A in 2017 led by Sequoia Capital.[2][3] Early traction included deals like Iceye as first client and Open Cosmos securing launches in 2018, but development delays led to bankruptcy in 2019 with 150 layoffs; it restarted in Tucson, Arizona, in 2020 as a sister to Q Networks, shifting some focus to national security via GalacticSky.[2][3][4][5]

Core Differentiators

Affordable, High-Cadence Launches: Vector-R targets $1.5M–$3M per launch (7500 $/kg) with minimal infrastructure pads, 3D-printed engines, carbon fiber structures, and plans for 100 launches/year, enabling rapid microsatellite deployment vs. years-long waits on larger rockets.[2][3][5]
Reusable First Stages: Designs incorporate first-stage recovery for cost reduction, using clustered LOX/propylene engines (3 for Vector-R, 6 for Vector-H).[3]
GalacticSky Platform: Patented software-defined satellite OS (40+ patents) allows customers to run apps on microsats without custom hardware, connecting innovators via a cloud-like model; post-bankruptcy, it drew acquisition interest from Lockheed Martin.[3][4]
Developer-Friendly Ecosystem: Focuses on space startups, with early clients like Iceye and Open Cosmos, emphasizing ease for non-elite players.[1][2][3]

Role in the Broader Tech Landscape

Vector rides the small satellite revolution, fueled by constellations for Earth observation, comms, and defense amid falling sensor costs and rising demand from firms like Planet Labs and BlackSky.[2][3][5] Timing aligned with post-2010s NewSpace boom, where micro-launches counter SpaceX dominance by serving the "very small end" market (under 50 kg payloads), backed by $100M+ funding from Sequoia/Lightspeed.[2][4] Market forces like U.S. DoD/intelligence needs for proliferated LEO architectures favor its national security pivot, influencing the ecosystem by inspiring competitors (e.g., Rocket Lab) and enabling software-first space apps via GalacticSky, though bankruptcy highlights execution risks in capital-intensive launches.[3][5][6]

Quick Take & Future Outlook

Vector's path forward hinges on resuming Vector-R flights—delayed from 2017 targets, with 2023 integration hints but no 2025 progress, potentially restarting via TLS Bidco's resources for DoD contracts.[4][5] Proliferated LEO trends and reusable small launchers will shape it, possibly evolving into a GalacticSky-focused software provider if hardware stalls, amplifying influence in accessible space tech. This echoes its founding vow to shatter elite barriers, now testing resilience in a matured NewSpace arena.[1][3]

Sources

Frequently Asked Questions

How much funding has Vector Launch raised?

Vector Launch has raised $97.0M in total across 4 funding rounds.

Who are Vector Launch's investors?

Vector Launch's investors include Accel, America's Frontier Fund, Core Ventures, FPV Fund, Sequoia Capital, Shasta Ventures, SV Angel, Unusual Ventures, Webb Investment Network, Tracy Young, AYANA Capital LLC, Brewer Lane Ventures.