Phantom Space’s Daytona Rocket (Photo: Phantom Space)

Phantom Space has acquired assets and intellectual property from Vector Launch, including design elements, engineering data, and proprietary technologies, the Tucson-based company announced today. The purchase will be used to speed development of Daytona, Phantom’s launch vehicle.

It marks a rebuy for Phantom Space Founder and CEO Jim Cantrell, who founded Vector in 2016. Vector paused operations and declared bankruptcy in 2019. That same year, Cantrell, also an early SpaceX executive, co-founded Phantom Space.

“As the original architect of Vector’s vision, it’s deeply meaningful to bring these assets home to Phantom,” Cantrell said. “This acquisition isn’t just about technology, it’s about momentum. We’re accelerating Daytona, creating high-tech aerospace jobs in Tucson, and moving faster toward orbital capability.”

The Daytona system is a two-stage, modular rocket designed to launch small payloads at a low price point. Vector Launch developed the Vector-R launch vehicle, which was similarly designed for small satellites weighing fewer than 132 pounds.

Phantom said the acquired assets will be integrated directly into the Daytona vehicle architecture and that Vector’s intellectual property will reduce Daytona’s development risk.

Phantom reports it has conducted successful hot-fire tests of Daytona’s propulsion assemblies. The company plans to begin integration and qualification activities, planning for stage-level testing and vehicle milestones in 2026.