Launcher (company)

Launcher was an American aerospace company based in Hawthorne, California. It was founded in New York City in 2017 by Max Haot.[1]

In February 2019 the company presented its E-2 engine, which was made in Germany by AMCM using its specialized M4K printer.[2] The engine uses liquid oxygen and kerosene propellants.[3] The company's Launcher Light rocket was designed to carry payloads of up to 150 kg to low Earth orbit.[4]

In November 2019 the US Air Force awarded the company $1.5 million to accelerate development and testing of its E-2 rocket engine.[5]

In March 2021 Launcher moved its headquarters from New York to a 24,000-square-foot building in Hawthorne, California.[6][7]

In February 2023 Launcher was acquired by Vast, a startup company developing artificial gravity space stations, with Max Haot becoming Vast's president.[8]

  1. ^ "Meet Launcher, the rocket engine builder with just eight employees". Ars Technica. November 9, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  2. ^ "Rocket start-up Launcher gets largest single piece 3D printed engine". cnbc.com. February 20, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  3. ^ "Rocket Report: SpaceX set for second crew launch, Chinese firm reaches orbit". Ars Technica. November 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  4. ^ Tyrrell, Michael (September 6, 2021). "Launcher expands rocket engine part additive manufacturing – Aerospace Manufacturing". aero-mag.com. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  5. ^ "Air Force funding keeps Launcher development on track". SpaceNews. November 14, 2019. Retrieved January 20, 2022.
  6. ^ Foust, Jeff (March 26, 2021). "Launcher opens California facility to develop small launch vehicle". SpaceNews. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  7. ^ Berger, Eric (June 2, 2021). "Launcher raises $11 million, ramps up hiring for 2024 flight". Ars Technica. Retrieved August 22, 2022.
  8. ^ Foust, Jeff (February 21, 2023). "Vast acquires Launcher to support space station development". SpaceNews. Retrieved February 21, 2023.