Phantom Space
Company Information
Headquarters
Tucson, Arizona, US
Year Founded
2019
Industries
Aerospace, Space Transportation, Satellite Manufacturing, Satellite Launch Services, Space Propulsion, Orbital Infrastructure, Space Computing
What Is Phantom Space?
Phantom Space is an aerospace technology company developing small satellite launch vehicles, modular spacecraft, and orbital infrastructure. Its activities combine rocket manufacturing, satellite engineering, propulsion development, and technologies for deploying and operating spacecraft in Earth orbit.
The company’s portfolio includes the Daytona family of launch vehicles, the Laguna reusable rocket concept, satellite manufacturing services, and Phantom Cloud, a proposed network of orbital data processing infrastructure. These programs are designed to support satellite constellation deployment and space-based applications.
What Does Phantom Space Do?
Phantom Space designs and develops orbital launch systems and satellite platforms intended for commercial and government missions. Its Daytona rockets are being developed for dedicated small satellite launches, allowing customers to plan missions around specific payload and orbital requirements rather than relying exclusively on rideshare opportunities.
The company also provides spacecraft engineering and manufacturing capabilities, including satellite design, subsystem integration, constellation planning, and mission preparation. Its approach combines launch vehicle development with spacecraft production to support customers deploying individual satellites or larger orbital networks.
Beyond launch services, Phantom Space is developing propulsion technologies for satellite maneuvering and potential in-orbit servicing. Its research includes green chemical propellants, electric propulsion systems, and modular approaches to extending spacecraft operational lifetimes.
Phantom Cloud is a proposed orbital computing infrastructure program intended to support data processing and storage in space. These capabilities remain under development, and the company has not established routine commercial launch or orbital data center operations.
Phantom Space Technology
Phantom Space develops technologies combining liquid rocket propulsion, modular spacecraft manufacturing, and orbital infrastructure. Its launch vehicle architecture emphasizes the use of established aerospace components, standardized manufacturing processes, and commercially available propulsion systems to support the production of small orbital rockets.
The Daytona II rocket uses a two-stage configuration powered by Ursa Major engines. Its first stage incorporates a Ripley engine generating approximately 222 kilonewtons of thrust, while the second stage uses a vacuum-optimized Hadley engine. Both engines operate with liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene, and their designs incorporate additive manufacturing techniques.
Daytona III expands this architecture by incorporating two Ripley engines on the first stage. The additional propulsion capacity supports heavier satellite payloads and provides a technical foundation for the company’s proposed recovery and reuse capabilities.
Phantom Space also develops modular satellite platforms and spacecraft propulsion technologies. Its green propulsion research uses ASCENT monopropellant, while its electric propulsion work includes ammonia-fueled arcjet thrusters. These systems are being investigated for spacecraft attitude control, orbital maneuvering, and satellite servicing.
Its proposed Phantom Cloud architecture extends spacecraft development into orbital computing. The concept involves satellites carrying onboard computing and data storage systems capable of processing information generated in space. The company is also investigating thermal management and communications infrastructure needed to support such systems.
These technologies remain at different stages of development. Although Phantom Space has conducted propulsion testing and acquired additional launch vehicle engineering assets, its Daytona rockets and proposed orbital computing infrastructure have not yet demonstrated routine operational service.
Why Phantom Space Matters
The expansion of satellite constellations has increased demand for spacecraft manufacturing, dedicated launch opportunities, and technologies that support long-term operations in orbit. Smaller satellite operators often face tradeoffs between the cost of dedicated launches and the limited scheduling and orbital flexibility available through rideshare missions.
Phantom Space is developing small satellite launch and manufacturing capabilities intended to address these requirements through standardized rocket designs and integrated spacecraft production. Its Daytona vehicles target dedicated missions for smaller payloads, while Laguna represents a proposed expansion into larger and potentially reusable launch systems.
The company’s development of orbital computing and spacecraft propulsion technologies also reflects a broader shift in the space industry toward infrastructure that supports satellite operations after deployment. In-space processing, propulsion, and servicing could reduce some operational constraints associated with traditional satellite architectures.
Phantom Space’s significance will ultimately depend on its ability to complete flight qualification, achieve successful orbital launches, and demonstrate the commercial viability of its satellite and orbital infrastructure services.
Phantom Space Products & Platforms
Daytona II Launch Vehicle
Daytona II is a two-stage expendable small satellite launch vehicle under development by Phantom Space. It uses a Ripley liquid rocket engine on its first stage and a vacuum-optimized Hadley engine on its second stage, both developed by Ursa Major. The rocket uses liquid oxygen and RP-1 kerosene propellants and is advertised with a payload capacity of approximately 440 kilograms to low Earth orbit. Phantom Space is accepting bookings for planned launches beginning in 2027.
Daytona III Launch Vehicle
Daytona III is a larger configuration of Phantom Space’s Daytona rocket family, designed to carry approximately 950 kilograms to low Earth orbit. It incorporates two Ripley engines on its first stage, increasing available thrust and payload capacity. The vehicle is intended for satellite constellation deployment and is being developed as a foundation for future recovery and reuse capabilities. The company advertises launch bookings beginning in 2028.
Laguna Reusable Launch Vehicle
Laguna is a proposed reusable two-stage orbital rocket designed for larger satellite payloads and constellation missions. Phantom Space lists a target capacity of approximately 1,200 kilograms to low Earth orbit, with additional mission capabilities planned for geostationary transfer orbit and trajectories beyond Earth. The vehicle remains a development program rather than an operational launch system.
Modular Satellite Manufacturing
Phantom Space develops spacecraft manufacturing and engineering services covering satellite structures, subsystem integration, mission design, and constellation development. Its modular approach is intended to support different satellite sizes and payload configurations while reducing the need for individually engineered spacecraft designs.
Phantom Cloud
Phantom Cloud is a proposed orbital computing and data infrastructure platform intended to support processing and storage of information in space. The concept involves deploying spacecraft equipped with computing resources to process satellite-generated data closer to its source, potentially reducing the amount of raw information that must be transmitted to Earth. The platform remains in development.
Green Propellant Thrusters
Phantom Space is developing spacecraft propulsion systems using ASCENT, a hydroxylammonium nitrate-based green propellant developed as a less toxic alternative to conventional hydrazine. Its development program includes a 500-millinewton thruster with plans for higher-thrust configurations. These systems are intended for spacecraft maneuvering and orbital control.
Electric Propulsion Systems
The company’s electric propulsion research includes ammonia-fueled arcjet thruster arrays and hybrid chemical-electric propulsion concepts. These technologies are being investigated for small satellite orientation, orbital maneuvering, and applications requiring different combinations of thrust and propellant efficiency.
Orbital Propellant Reservicing
Phantom Space is developing modular spacecraft reservicing concepts intended to extend satellite operational lifetimes. The approach involves rendezvous and docking followed by propulsion module attachment or propellant transfer. The technology is in development, with orbital demonstrations planned before potential operational deployment.
Phantom Space Applications
Dedicated Satellite Launch: Developing rockets to deploy individual small satellites and spacecraft into selected orbital trajectories.
Satellite Constellation Deployment: Supporting the manufacturing and planned launch of multiple spacecraft for communications, sensing, and other orbital applications.
Spacecraft Manufacturing: Designing and integrating modular satellite platforms for commercial and government missions.
Orbital Data Processing: Developing proposed space-based computing infrastructure for processing information generated by satellites.
Satellite Propulsion: Developing chemical and electric propulsion systems for orbital maneuvering, station keeping, and spacecraft orientation.
In-Orbit Servicing: Researching propulsion module installation and propellant transfer systems intended to extend satellite operational lifetimes.
Responsive Space Missions: Developing launch capabilities intended to accommodate dedicated mission schedules and orbital deployment requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What does Phantom Space develop?
Phantom Space develops small satellite launch vehicles, modular spacecraft, propulsion technologies, and proposed orbital computing infrastructure. Its principal rocket programs include Daytona II, Daytona III, and Laguna, while its satellite activities include manufacturing, propulsion development, and spacecraft servicing concepts.
Has Phantom Space successfully launched a rocket into orbit?
As of November 2026, Phantom Space has not publicly demonstrated a successful orbital launch. The company has conducted propulsion development and testing and is preparing its Daytona rocket family for future missions. Daytona II launch bookings are advertised for 2027, but the schedule remains dependent on vehicle development and flight qualification.
What is the difference between Daytona II and Daytona III?
Daytona II uses one Ripley engine on its first stage and is designed to carry approximately 440 kilograms to low Earth orbit. Daytona III uses two first-stage Ripley engines and targets approximately 950 kilograms of payload capacity. Daytona III is also being developed as a foundation for future reusable launch capabilities.
What is Phantom Cloud?
Phantom Cloud is a proposed orbital computing infrastructure platform intended to process and store satellite-generated information in space. The concept involves spacecraft equipped with computing resources that could perform data processing before transmitting selected information to Earth. It remains a development initiative rather than an operational commercial service.
What did Phantom Space acquire from Vector Launch?
In February 2026, Phantom Space announced the acquisition of engineering assets and intellectual property from Vector Launch. These included launch vehicle design information, engineering data, ground support systems, and related technologies intended to accelerate development and testing of the Daytona rocket family.
Related Companies
Rocket Lab
HyImpulse
Ursa Major
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