Vector Space Systems, a space systems company focused on micro launches and micro space platforms and comprised of new-space and enterprise software industry veterans from SpaceX, Virgin Galactic, McDonnell Douglas and VMware, has announced the launch of its Software Defined Satellites business unit named Galactic Sky.

Announced at the Space Technology and Investment Forum in San Francisco, Galactic Sky is building a new business platform to provide startups, innovators and entrepreneurs with unprecedented access to satellite capabilities, satellite derived Big Data and constellation infrastructures.

Headquartered in San Jose, California, the division will open the door for a new wave of companies to explore and experiment with satellites without the traditional costs and time to market associated with paying for a rocket launch and mastering the complexities of creating a satellite. Space startups can now innovate on what is most important to them; their unique software applications and the data that they acquire.

For the first time ever, using a truly Software Defined Satellite Platform, startups will be able to utilize completely virtualized satellites already in orbit to access what was before beyond their fiscal and technological reach. Companies will be able to leverage powerful micro satellites which can change their role dynamically and in near real-time for the purposes of developing and testing unique commercial, government and industrial applications.

Galactic Sky's focus will be on those customers which require tailored imagery, onboard analytics, ultra-secure data storage and transfer, and high-speed communications which is only possible from space. This revolutionary capability will make space assets accessible to a broad array of entrepreneurs and innovators and in the process will unleash new uses of space platforms, some of which can not be imagined today.

Vector Space Systems with its reliable low cost micro-satellite launch vehicles and now through a complete Software Defined Satellite Platform, will help bring to bare the collective intellectual power of space visionaries similar to that which turned an ordinary mobile phone into an indispensable personal communications device, or a mainframe computer that once filled a room into a PC on everyone's desk.

Galactic Sky will be a satellite virtualization platform that includes: satellite design tools, space application lifecycle and container management, cloud based space simulation services including a full suite of SDKs and APIs for quick development as well as a satellite optimized distribution of Linux named GalacticOS.

This capability, in conjunction with our frequent and reliable launch system, will offer a complete vertically integrated solution ready for innovators and entrepreneurs to bring their unique ideas, payloads and applications to a space ready platform.

"We started Vector with the goal of creating a development platform that would foster and bolster the micro space innovations currently underway and bring the promise of space based technologies to a much larger pool of entrepreneurs who don't need to be space experts," said Jim Cantrell, co-founder and CEO, Vector Space Systems.

"Our new Software Defined Satellite division furthers this mission of removing the barrier of entry for space with a unique focus on a new generation of software startups, innovators and space entrepreneurs in mind."

Shaun Coleman, a Vector Space board member and investor, will spearhead the division under his new position as Vice President and General Manager of Space Data Systems. An experienced entrepreneur and investor, Coleman brings more than 20 years of enterprise software, virtualization, computer networking and information security expertise into the role, and will lead a team of developers in Silicon Valley who will build the next generation of software based space systems.

"I first invested in Vector because I saw the opportunity to extend innovation into space with an advanced concept of an affordable launch vehicle," Coleman said.

"This vision has continued to grow, as we have realized that there is an even larger opportunity to extend our capabilities beyond just launch. Through virtualized satellites, we have the opportunity to impact the whole space industry by turning it on its head and opening up an entirely new market to innovators who aren't rocket, satellite or even space experts. Providing this flexible and elastic infrastructure to entrepreneurs will be the great equalizer to finally help democratize access to space"

The announcement comes on the heels of Vector's first customer payload contract, a 21-launch agreement with Finnish-based Iceye. Vector remains on track for its first orbital launch in 2018, with a number of pathfinding ground operations planned at candidate launch sites early this fall.

Galactic Sky will be available to early access customers and strategic partners in the first half of 2017. To request more information or to be considered for the Beta please visit us here