Following the Brace For Impact launch of Max-Q’s Zeta rocket on April 22, 2021, Max-Q faced a dreary future. Due to a small customer base, and cost overruns in the now canceled medium launch vehicle program, Max-Q was faced with bankruptcy. All work on Zeta, and Max-Q’s heritage rockets were canceled, forcing the program into a standstill. However, after leadership was approached by GrayLune Inc, Max-Q and its employees are being given a second chance. After hiring back as many employees as was possible, and making some new hires, Max-Q is ready to face new challenges.
GrayLune Inc. is tourist spaceflight company that has yet to launch. Their efforts were focusing on a suborbital crew launch vehicle, capable of reuse. With the acquisition of Max-Q, and subsequently all of its sub-branches, GrayLune is pushing forward with their plans, and Max-Q’s.
- As part of their agreement, Max-Q will be revisiting the Nova Family of rockets, and resuming operation of Nova 1 (Last launched November of 2019) NET August 10th. Risk assessments will be held on how further development of Nova 2 & 4 might proceed.*
- They will also ease their way back into the Zeta program, still hoping to recover the first stage booster via parachute recovery.*
- Lastly, Max-Q will be obligated to support research, development, and flight of the GrayLune suborbital vehicle.*
The teams at Max-Q could not be happier that they can continue working on these programs. We are excited for our future with GrayLune, and can’t wait to see what is to come.