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 … [Read more...]
Alex Rodriguez Named Vice President of Government and External Affairs At Vector
Sharing some exciting news today that Alex Rodriguez has joined Vector as our new Vice President of Government and External Affairs. Alex will be leading all facets of external relations including with our Government partners during a time of accelerated company growth. He joins Vector from the Arizona Technology Council where he served as Vice President and led the Arizona Aerospace, Aviation and Defense CEO Network. As Vice President of Government and External Affairs, Alex brings over two decades of experience in business development, government affairs, and strategic planning to Vector. Alex has held leadership roles in three Fortune 500 companies including Raytheon, where he led a half billion dollars spend portfolio in supply chain … [Read more...]
GWU’s Innovations in Electric Propulsion Technology Help Vector Provide Unprecedented Access to Space
Since our launch in 2016, Vector has focused on connecting space startups and innovators with affordable and reliable space by dramatically increasing access and speed to orbit. And as a result, Vector is reshaping the multi-billion launch market. Building on over 10 years of research to develop the Vector-R launch vehicle, Vector is truly at the forefront of innovation and revolutionizing the next generation of rocket launches. George Washington University has developed ground-breaking plasma steering thrusters which will help put Vector ahead in the great "New Space" race. Our collaboration with George Washington University will help us move closer to achieving our long-term vision of furthering the technological achievements for our … [Read more...]
Failure Is the Seed of Growth for Success: Lessons Learned From Developing and Testing Aerospike Rocket Engines
About aerospike engines Unlike conventional bell-shaped nozzles, which operate optimally at one particular altitude, aerospike engines allow the flow expansion to self-adjust, thus improving thrust coefficient at altitudes below the design point. At altitudes higher than the design point, plug nozzles operate similarly to bell nozzles, if they are under-expanded. Thus, the goal becomes one of maximizing design altitude, or expansion ratio. This is particularly critical for systems which operate both in the atmosphere and in vacuum. In addition to these performance advantages in atmospheric flight, plug nozzles also offer improved packaging and reduce development and manufacturing costs since the smaller thrust chambers can be … [Read more...]
