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fork(2) writes:

"Wolverines!" was the battle-cry of the teen-aged guerilla group in the 1984 recruitment movie Red Dawn . Little guys taking on a hard task...

That's exactly what the tiny rocket company Vector Space Systems is doing. From their website:

For several years, Vector has been quietly developing a launch vehicle specifically designed for Micro Satellites weighing less than 50 kg. This is the only launch system dedicated to micro spacecraft and will allow you to launch your satellite when you want and to where you want.

It looks like that strategy is not a bad idea. Today Ars Technica (and others) are reporting that Vector has scored a contract with the Finnish company Iceye for 21 launches of Iceye's commercial synthetic aperture radar (SAR) satellite constellation.

From Ars Technica:

The two companies are already working together. According to Jim Cantrell, chief executive of Vector Space Systems, Saturday's test flight in Mojave, California, carried a prototype of an Iceye microsatellite core computing and communications systems to see if it would survive launch conditions (it did). Vector's sub-scale launcher, named the P-20, also tested some prototype upper stage engines.

The test will help Vector finalize design of its Wolverine rocket, which is based upon technology from Garvey Spacecraft Corporation. The two-stage rocket will be powered by liquid fuels, and it's made of all composites. Gross liftoff weight is 5 tons. Vector intends to offer small satellite companies the capability to launch within three months of demand into any desired orbit from Kodiak Launch Complex in Alaska or Cape Canaveral in Florida. Launch costs will range from $2 million to $3 million (£1.5 to £2.2 million).

[Continues...]

[...] Vector remains on track for its first orbital launch in 2018, Cantrell said, and the company aims to increase the launch cadence to about 100 vehicles per year by 2020 or 2021. Perhaps the biggest issue is range constraints -- making sure the company has clearance from launch site officials. While Vector may do some launches from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in Florida, it will primarily operate from Alaska, which has a much less crowded range. That works out well, Cantrell said, because many of the polar orbits desired by customers are easier to reach from northern latitude launch sites.

The Street adds:

Headquartered in Espoo, Finland, Iceye is focused on expanding the availability of SAR data to support decision making in diverse areas such as trade, exploration, relief efforts, farming, and environmental protection. Iceye is working to launch and operate a constellation of micro satellites that carry its own compact and efficient SAR sensor technology. Its first prototype satellite is scheduled to launch in the second half of 2017.

Iceye will develop its satellite constellation in Finland, and launch them into orbit using Vector's micro satellite launch system at select launch locations, including the Pacific Spaceport Complex Alaska (PSCA). This radar satellite constellation will provide day/night all-weather imaging of the Earth's surface, as well as monitoring of arctic regions in support of safety for the environment and maritime operations.

Go Wolverines!!

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