Vector-R
 | |
| Function | Smallsat Launch Vehicle |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Vector Space Systems |
| Country of origin | United States |
| Cost per launch | 2-3 Million USD |
| Size | |
| Height | 12 m |
| Diameter | 1.2 m |
| Mass | 5,000 kg |
| Stages | 2/3 |
| Capacity | |
| Payload to LEO | 60 kg [1] |
| Payload to SSO | 26 kg [2] |
| Associated rockets | |
| Family | Vector (rocket family) |
| Derivatives | Vector-H |
| Comparable | Electron, Falcon 1, Firefly Alpha |
| Launch history | |
| Status | In Development, 2 prototype launches |
| Launch sites |
Pacific Spaceport Complex – Alaska MARS Pad OB Spaceport Florida Launch Complex 46 |
| First stage | |
| Diameter | 1.2 m (3 ft 11 in) |
| Engines | 3 X LP-1 |
| Thrust | 18,300 lbf (81,000 N) |
| Burn time | 143 seconds |
| Fuel | Propylene / LOX |
| Second stage | |
| Diameter | .635 m (2 ft 1.0 in) |
| Engines | 1 X LP-2 |
| Thrust | 1,000 lbf (4,400 N) |
| Burn time | 433 seconds |
| Fuel | Propylene / LOX |
Vector-R (Vector Rapid) is two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle developed by the American aerospace company Vector Launch, Inc. to cover the commercial small satellite launch segment (CubeSats).[3]
The rocket completed a first test flight at low altitude in May 2017.[4] Vector Launch, Inc. is currently planning the first orbital launch from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska later in 2018.[5]
An upgraded version of the Vector-R, called the Vector-H (Heavy), is expected to launch in 2019.
Design
Vector-R uses two stages with a 1.2-meter (3.9 ft) diameter first stage and 0.635-meter (2.08 ft) diameter second stage, both filled with Propylene/LOX propellant. The main body of the rocket is constructed using a lightweight carbon composite material.[6]
The launch vehicle's first stage is powered by three LP-1 LOX/propylene engines, delivering 81,000 newtons of force. The second stage is powered by one LP-2 LOX/propylene engine, delivering 4,400 newtons of force. The engines use a 3D-printed engine injector, designed with help from NASA's Science, Technology and Mission Directorate (STMD) Flight Opportunities program. This allows the injector to be produced as a single piece of hardware, instead of as individual components.
Vector is aiming the rocket at a launch cadence of 100 vehicles per year.[7]
Block 0.1
The first two and upcoming third sub-orbital flight test use the Vector-R Block 0.1 prototype model[8], which is a full size aluminium air-frame of the Vector-R but with only one first stage engine.
Vector-RE1
The Vector-RE1 has the same body as the standard Vector-R but includes an electric powered third stage.[9]
Intended usage
Vector-R is designed to launch a 60 kg (130 lb) payload to a 1,000 km (620 mi) Sun-synchronous orbit, suitable for CubeSats and other small payloads. The cost is less than US$3 million, a price point that the company hopes will allow it to attract one hundred launches per year. Customers may choose to encapsulate their spacecraft in payload fairings provided by the company, which can be easily attached to the rocket shortly before launch, in several different configurations, such as fitting CubeSats dispensers or multiple satellites in a single fairing.
Vector will use on-site payload integration for the early launches. However it expects to be able to integrate payloads at their Arizona and California Payload Facilities and ship them to their launch sites.
Launch sites
Vector-R currently launches from the Mojave Air and Space Port and Spaceport Camden for its flight tests. It has completed one test flight from each pad and one test flight is planned from Mojave in 2018. Flight B0.002 was also the first launch from Spaceport Camden.
As of 2018 Vector plans to use the LC-46 launch site in Florida and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) Pad 0B[10] for the Vector-R rocket starting in 2018, with the first all-up launches occurring from MARS Pad 0B.[11] Additionally Vector investigates adding more minimal infrastructure launch pads either located on land in the US, or to launch the rocket from barges on the ocean.[12]
Vector is currently planning the first orbital launch from Pacific Spaceport Complex later in 2018.[13]
Notable missions
B0.001
B0.001 was the maiden launch of the Vector-R. It was a scaled down version of the final design used as an engineering test.
Launch statistics
Launch history
| Flight № | Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Payload mass | Orbit | Customer | Launch outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| B0.001 | 3 May 2017 19:00[14] |
Vector-R (P-19H) | Mojave[15] | Sub-orbital | Vector Space Systems | Success | ||
| Flight test; Maiden flight of the Vector-R; First engineering test, scaled down version | ||||||||
| B0.002[16] | 2 August 2017 16:15 |
Vector-R | Camden[17] | Two customer payloads | Sub-orbital | Vector Space Systems | Success | |
| Flight test; Full prototype version, upgraded flight systems. The launch was delayed due to ignition detection failure. | ||||||||
Planned launches
| Date / time (UTC) | Rocket, Configuration |
Launch site | Payload | Orbit | Customer |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018 | Vector-R | Camden[18] | Sub-orbital | Vector Space Systems | |
| B0.003[19]; Flight-Test; Testing fairings, avionics, and thrust vector control | |||||
| 2018 | Vector-R | PSCA [20] | Unicorn 2A Delfi-PQ 1[21] |
LEO | Alba Orbital Delft University of Technology |
| First orbital and commercial flight of the Vector-R. First dedicated PocketQube launch. | |||||
| 2018 | Vector-R | MARS LP-0B / PSCA | Landmapper-HD | LEO | Astro Digital |
| Earth observation | |||||
| 2019 | Vector-R | Open Cosmos | |||
References
- ↑ https://www.vector-launch.com/vector-r/
- ↑ https://vector-launch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Vector_PUG_03_02.pdf
- ↑ "Vector Space Systems raises funds to develop small launch vehicle - SpaceNews.com". SpaceNews.com. 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2017-03-22.
- ↑ "Vector has completed the first successful flight test of its new micro rocket". 2017-05-03. Retrieved 2017-05-04.
- ↑ VECTOR (22 February 2018). "This week, Vector submitted its first launch application to the @FAANews to enable orbital launching from the Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska, later this year". @vectorspacesys. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ↑ "Vector-R (Rapide) - Vector Space Systems". Vector Space Systems. Retrieved 2017-03-22.
- ↑ "Tiny rocket company aims for 100 launches a year—and it just might succeed". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2017-03-22.
- ↑ http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vector-1.htm
- ↑ http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vector-1.htm
- ↑ http://spacenews.com/vector-to-perform-first-orbital-launches-from-virginia/
- ↑ Vector Space aims to expand launch ranges with minimal infrastructure pads NasaSpaceflight.com
- ↑ https://vector-launch.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/Vector_PUG_03_02.pdf
- ↑ VECTOR (22 February 2018). "This week, Vector submitted its first launch application to the @FAANews to enable orbital launching from the Pacific Spaceport Complex - Alaska, later this year". @vectorspacesys. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ↑ https://www.space.com/36710-vector-space-test-launch-success.html
- ↑ "Vector Becomes First to Complete Successful Flight Test of Launch Vehicle". PR Newswire. 3 May 2017. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- ↑ Vector Successfully Launches First Ever Rocket from Spaceport Camden www.prnewswire.com
- ↑ Henning, Allyson (2 August 2017). "Camden Spaceport sees 1st launch". Jacksonville, FL: WJXT. Archived from the original on 2017-11-11. Retrieved 2017-11-11.
- ↑ http://space.skyrocket.de/doc_lau/vector-1.htm
- ↑ Cantrell, Jim (3 February 2018). "Our @vectorspacesys B0.003 vehicle being readied in our new factory in #Tucson for flight later in March testing multiple subsystems including fairings, avionics, and thrust vector control systems on a suborbital flight. Stay tuned !pic.twitter.com/54Nf3CwKiI". @jamesncantrell. Retrieved 2018-02-25.
- ↑ http://spacenews.com/vector-planning-first-orbital-launch-this-summer/
- ↑ "Vector to Conduct Dedicated Launch of Alba Orbital PocketQube Satellites on First Orbital Attempt". PRNewswire. 8 March 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2018.