Venus Aerospace raises $90M Series B to build a new kind of rocket engine

In a significant move for the aerospace industry, Venus Aerospace has successfully raised $90 million in a Series B funding round aimed at advancing their innovative Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE). Founded in 2020 by the dynamic husband-and-wife team, CEO Sassie Duggleby and CTO Andrew Duggleby, the company initially envisioned creating eco-friendly hypersonic jets for commercial travel. However, following a successful engine demonstration last year, their trajectory shifted dramatically. "After our flight last May, we were taken aback by the overwhelming interest in our operational RDRE. The demand was unexpected, with many inquiring about purchasing one of our engines," Sassie Duggleby shared with TechCrunch. This pivot has led Venus to focus more on the development of hypersonic weapons and high-speed space vehicles tailored for military applications. Andrew Duggleby emphasized the advantages of their propulsion system, stating, "Our architecture integrates efficiency, throttling, reusability, and manufacturability to meet the stringent requirements of defense and space missions. We are committed to converting our technical advancements into dependable systems ready for operational deployment." The recent funding round, spearheaded by Mercury Fund and featuring contributions from notable investors such as Lockheed Martin Ventures and Draper Associates, aims to facilitate further testing and development of specific vehicle designs that align with potential customer needs. The RDRE concept, rooted in mid-20th century theories, proposes a more efficient rocket launch method. Rather than conventional combustion, this engine generates a continuous supersonic combustion wave that circulates within a channel, promising to reduce fuel wastage. Although the physics behind this technology has been complex, advancements in 3D printing and simulation techniques have propelled its feasibility. Venus Aerospace’s journey has been remarkable, with its first successful test conducted at the University of Central Florida in 2020. NASA showcased an RDRE on the ground in 2022, and Japan's JAXA conducted a brief space test in 2021. The landmark achievement in 2025 marked the first occasion an RDRE was utilized to launch a rocket. Reflecting on the company's evolution, Sassie Duggleby remarked, "Initially, our narrative revolved around the potential of this new rocket engine to generate more heat, thrust, and efficiency while preventing damage. A significant portion of our efforts over the past four years has been dedicated to ensuring the engine's durability—and we have successfully addressed that challenge." In addition to the funding, Venus Aerospace has received a grant from the Texas Space Commission to construct a larger test stand, essential for their future endeavors. Currently, their engine has been fired for a maximum of 32 seconds during extensive testing, but it will need to sustain combustion for 6 to 15 minutes to meet the operational requirements of their clients.