The engine test, which took place in Mojave, Calif. on Dec. 8, featured a single piece, 3D AM printed injector developed in partnership with NASA’s Science, Technology, and Mission Directorate (STMD) Flight Opportunities, a program which extends research labs into space-relevant environments by partnering with small satellite launch companies. Earlier this year, NASA provided a grant to Vector to design and test the injector.
In addition to the successful test, Vector announced the approval for the land lease to build a rocket factory in Pima County, Arizona. The 25-year deal will have an overall direct and indirect economic impact on the region totaling $290M over the next five years with additional job growth of 200 positions expected to enter the region over the next three years. The factory is set to break ground in Spring 2017.
