Overview

• Venus Aerospace conducted the first U.S.-based flight test of a rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) at Spaceport America in New Mexico on May 14, 2025.
• The engine produced 2,000 pounds of thrust during a half-minute rail launch, demonstrating efficiency gains without breaking the sound barrier.
• Rotating detonation engines sustain a circulating shockwave, offering significantly improved fuel efficiency over traditional rocket engines.
• The technology has potential for both military hypersonic systems and commercial applications, including Venus Aerospace's Stargazer M4 concept for Mach 4 passenger travel.
• This test follows global advancements in hypersonic propulsion and highlights the role of private start-ups in advancing aerospace innovation.