Rotating Detonation Engine Could Be Game-Changer For Efficiency

Venus Aerospace announced that Lockheed Martin has provided a strategic investment to further the development of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), an innovative propulsion system it says could revolutionize propulsion and remake efficiency in space and defense systems.

The company made the announcement at the Axios Future of Defense Summit in Washington, D.C., after its high-thrust RDRE test flight at Spaceport America in May 2025.

Sassie Duggleby, Co-founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace said, “Venus has proven in flight the most efficient rocket engine technology in history. With support from Lockheed Martin Ventures, we will advance our capabilities to deliver at scale and deploy the engine that will power the next 50 years of defense, space, and commercial high-speed aviation.”

Venus says it is the only company that has a flight-proven, high-thrust RDRE as well as the capability for scaled production.

NASA and the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory have for decades studied the concept of using continuous supersonic detonation waves for combustion, rather than conventional subsonic combustion. They believe this approach could improve efficiency by as much as 25 percent while also reducing the size and weight of the engine.

Chris Moran is the Executive Director and General Manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures. He said the investment is an indication that the company believes innovations in propulsion will play a decisive role in strategic advantage. He said, “Next-generation propulsion will define which nations lead in space and defense for decades to come.”

Beyond the RDRE, Venus is also developing its Venus Detonation Ramjet or VDR, which would combine rocket and air-breathing combustion for continuous flight from takeoff to hypersonic cruise.

Venus was founded in 2020 and is based in Houston, Texas. In addition to this investment by Lockheed Martin, the terms of which were not disclosed, the company has raised over $106 million from investors such as Airbus Ventures, Prime Movers Lab, America’s Frontier Fund. It has also received support from NASA, DARPA, and the Air Force Research Laboratory.

FMI:  www.venusaero.com/