Create an innovative rocket engine, and opportunities will come knocking. At least that’s been the case for Venus Aerospace and its Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE), an extremely efficient means to propel objects into the atmosphere.

Founded in 2020 by the married couple, CEO Sassie Duggleby and CTO Andrew Duggleby, the goal was to create environmentally friendly hypersonic jets for passenger transport. However, after successfully showcasing the engine last year, their focus shifted.

“What transpired when we flew last May was that the world responded with, ‘oh wow, you have a functioning RDRE, would you consider selling us one?’ That was unforeseen,” Sassie Duggleby shared with TechCrunch.

Currently, the company is concentrating on developing hypersonic weaponry, replacing the solid rocket motors used in numerous missiles with its innovative thruster, alongside high-speed vehicles that cater to military interests.

“Our propulsion framework merges efficiency, throttling, reusability, and manufacturability in a manner that fulfills customer requirements for genuine defense and space operations,” Andrew Duggleby stated. “Our aim is to convert technical advancements into dependable systems for active deployment.”

Venus announced today a $90 million Series B funding round intended to position the company accordingly by financing the testing and development of specific vehicle models for prospective clients. The funding round was spearheaded by Mercury Fund and included contributions from Lockheed Martin Ventures, MESH, PEAK6, Draper Associates, Starboard Star Venture Capital, and Green Sands Equity.

The RDRE was conceptualized in the mid-20th century as a theoretically more efficient rocket launch mechanism; instead of combusting propellants in a circular chamber, the engine generates a constant supersonic flame wave that circulates through a round channel. (Here’s a visualization.) This idea aimed to minimize propellant waste, but the intricate physics were difficult to comprehend and manage.

Recent years have seen changes with advancements in 3D printing and enhanced simulations. The first effective test occurred in 2020 at the University of Central Florida. NASA showcased an RDRE on the ground for the first time in 2022, while Japan’s space agency JAXA ignited one momentarily in space in 2021. Venus’ 2025 test marked the inaugural occasion an RDRE propelled a rocket into flight.

“When we initiated Venus, the narrative was there’s a new kind of rocket engine, we believe it will produce more heat, more thrust, and be more efficient, but we think we’ve figured out how to prevent it from melting,” Sassie Duggleby explained. “A significant part of our efforts over the last four years has been figuring out how to keep this engine from melting—and we’ve resolved that.”

This year, the company received a grant from the Texas Space Commission to construct a new, larger test stand. This will be crucial for Venus: The maximum duration it has fired its engine in 600 tests is 32 seconds, though it will probably need to operate for at least 6 to 15 minutes to satisfy its customers’ objectives.