Vector Space Systems Plans Micro Satellite Manufacturing Center In Pima County, Arizona
10/14/2016
Pima County and the Arizona Commerce Authority are leading the facility development through a public-private partnership agreement to further the economic advancement of the Arizona technology and aerospace industry.
"With cutting edge companies like Vector Space Systems continuing to locate in Arizona, it is no wonder our state is ranked number one for aerospace manufacturing attractiveness by PwC," said Arizona Governor Doug Ducey. "Vector Space Systems is precisely the type of innovative, 21st century company we are working to attract to Arizona through our pro-business policies, and an excellent addition to southern Arizona's already thriving aerospace industry. I thank Vector Space Systems for its commitment to and confidence in our state."
"Vector Space Systems has decided to make Tucson the home for its headquarters and manufacturing facilities by relocating to the Pima County Aerospace, Defense and Technology Business & Research Park," said Jim Cantrell, CEO/Co-founder of Vector Space Systems. "While Vector's eyes are focused on the stars, our home is in Arizona because we believe in its potential as a competitive tech hub, and we're honored to have the opportunity to contribute toward its economic development in the aerospace manufacturing industry."
According to company officials Vector, “whose vision is to reshape the multi-billion launch market, combines dedicated low-cost micro satellite launches (Vector Launch) and software defined satellites (Galactic Sky) to dramatically increase access and speed to orbit. Vector will use the Pima County Aerospace, Defense and Technology Business & Research Park to manufacture its Vector-R and Vector-H launch vehicles that will be transported to sites in Alaska and Florida to launch micro-satellites into orbit.”
"Vector Space Systems becomes the second tenant of the County's Aerospace, Defense and Technology Business & Research Park in the Sonoran Corridor, joining World View," said Chuck Huckelberry, Pima County's administrator. "These locally grown aerospace companies are locating to an area acquired by the County in its effort to protect Raytheon Missile Systems from residential encroachment. Raytheon has welcomed these fellow aerospace manufacturers and these three companies combined are creating a gravitational pull of other aerospace companies interested in locating to the park."
"Helping our local businesses grow and prosper is as important to the County's economic and job growth as attracting new companies in town, if not more so," said Sharon Bronson, Chair of the Pima County Board of Supervisors. "Our country has embarked on an exciting new era of commercial space flight, and I am immensely proud that Pima County is able to assist an imaginative local company like Vector Space Systems, which is in the vanguard of this new race to space."
"The Arizona Technology Council applauds Pima County, the City of Tucson and Arizona Commerce Authority for this extraordinary opportunity for our region and state," said Alex Rodriguez, Vice President of the Arizona Technology Council.”
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