Phantom COO Mark Lester and Vaya COO Rob Fabian signed the memorandum of agreement at the Space Mobility Conference, outlining how the two companies will work concurrently at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station’s Launch Complex 13 (LC-13). For the first time, two launch service providers have agreed to simultaneously operate from a single launch complex.
Commercial companies sharing a Launch Complex is a novel approach to maximize limited launch site availability at the Cape. Historically, one company would exclusively occupy a Launch Complex and populate it with unique and proprietary infrastructure dedicated to their use. While this approach was satisfactory when available launch sites were plentiful and few launch vehicles existed, it is not sustainable in the rapidly growing and diverse commercial space launch environment.
In addition to maximizing available land use, Phantom and Vaya’s approach provides significant national security advantages through responsive and resilient launch. The ability for multiple companies to share infrastructure and launch support systems in a nimble manner dramatically increases launch pad throughput and launch resilience to provide assured access to space. This approach leverages proven airport models where runways, taxiways, gates, and operational infrastructure are company agnostic shared resources.
“Vaya Space and Phantom value the importance of collaboration to create new responsive launch capability in a safe and efficient manner for long-term growth and sustainability. We have worked diligently together over the last several months on the agreement to underscore our commitment to safety and best address and balance government, spaceport, and company needs,” stated Phantom COO, Mark Lester.
Click here to learn more about Vaya Space's Dauntless Launch Vehicle.
Click here to learn about Phantom's Daytona Launch Vehicle.
