Listen to this articleBelow is our recent interview with Mary Baldino, Media Manager at Vaya Space:
Q: Could you provide our readers with a brief introduction to your company?
A: Vaya Space is an eco-friendly space tech company providing SmallSat orbital launch services and hybrid rocket propulsion solutions. We are leveraging advances in additive manufacturing to redefine the cost, performance, and safety of space access and payload delivery.
Q: Any highlights on your recent announcement?
A: Vaya Space is opening a Brazilian subsidiary and expanding operations into South America. We anticipate creating 200 direct jobs in Brazil over the next two years and plan an initial manufacturing footprint of approximately 10,000 square meters.
Recommended: Q: Can you give us more insights into your offering?
A: Vaya Space has a build, integrate, and launch-ready cycle of less than 30 days, and is capable of launching payloads greater than 1,000 kg into Low Earth Orbit (LEO), and payloads greater than 600 kg into Sun Synchronous Orbit (SSO).
Vaya Space is positioned to serve the global market. We are now accepting launch reservations for 2023 and anticipate to ramping-up to a weekly launch cadence.
Q: What can we expect from your company in next 6 months? What are your plans?
A: Vaya Space plans additional suborbital test flights of the STAR-3D™ Hybrid Rocket Engine. In anticipation of commercial launch operations in 2023, we are planning to announce several strategic teaming and partnering agreements, which will allow us to better serve our customers, and provide turn-key solutions.
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Q: What is the best thing about your company that people might not know about?
A: Vaya Space is using recycled plastics to fuel orbital launch vehicles. The eco-friendly propulsion system is called STAR-3D TM, a hybrid rocket engine using both a solid rocket motor and liquid oxidizer. Liquid oxidizer enables the solid rocket propulsion to be controlled or throttled. This also allows the engine to be shut-down after ignition, if necessary, and even restarted.
STAR-3DTM technology is fueled by 3D printed thermoplastics which can be sourced and produced entirely from recycled plastics. This recycled material is also non-toxic, non-hazardous, and non-explosive at ambient temperatures, making it an ideal “greener” and safer alternative to traditional rocket fuels. The solid thermoplastics only become high-energy fuel when combined with liquid oxidizer and ignited. This means it is much safer, and only acts like a rocket under the right conditions.
