Two members of the Iceye team, Ignacio and Amin, braved the searing heat of the Mojave Desert recently for the first joint test launch of a rocket with our new partner: Vector Space Systems.
“It was 48 degrees Celsius and there were scorpions everywhere!” says software team lead Ignacio. “But it was great to work with Vector Space Systems to get Iceye’s satellite computer module onto their P-20 rocket for the first time. That’s what this was all about.”
Vector Space Systems is developing rockets specifically for transporting microsatellites into space, potentially revolutionizing the economic model for putting the latest technology into orbit, and making the company a perfect partner for Iceye. You can read more about our partnership here.
“In essence this was a mechanical and electrical test of our on-board computer,” says project manager Amin. “And we learned a lot, both about working with Vector Space Systems and about how to mechanically couple our machinery to theirs. It was a very valuable experience.”
The team logged GPS data and ran some software routines during the event, happy to report back to Iceye HQ that the module worked well through the launch – and continued to do so after landing safely back on the surface of the Mojave. All-in-all a successful start to Iceye’s work with Vector.
Fitting the Iceye on-board computer module onto the rocket.
Loading the rocket onto its launch rail.
Ignacio looking cool in the desert heat. Yet secretly worrying about scorpions.
Almost ready for countdown…
Lift off!
The Iceye and Vector Space Systems team just before the launch.