Venus Aerospace has secured a strategic investment from
Lockheed Martin, marking a significant milestone for the Houston-based startup that is pioneering next-generation rocket propulsion. The investment, made through Lockheed Martin Ventures, follows Venus’s landmark high-thrust test flight of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) in May 2025 — an achievement hailed by the
Houston Chronicle as a ‘world first’ and the most significant advancement in rocket engine technology since the Apollo era. The announcement was made during the Axios Future of Defense Summit in Washington, DC.
Venus remains the only company globally to have flight-proven a high-thrust RDRE, positioning it uniquely for scaled production. Lockheed Martin’s backing underscores the growing interest from major defence contractors and venture capital firms in dual-use technologies that serve both military and commercial sectors. With global defense and space infrastructure spending projected to near $1 trillion by 2040, Venus’s propulsion system is attracting attention for its efficiency and versatility.
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 defence, space, and commercial high-speed aviation.”
Breakthrough propusion platformThe collaboration brings together Lockheed Martin’s deep industry expertise with Venus’s breakthrough propulsion platform, reflecting a broader trend of primes partnering with agile start-ups to maintain technological leadership.
Chris Moran, vice president and general manager of Lockheed Martin Ventures, said: “We are investing in companies like Venus Aerospace that are developing the cutting-edge technologies of the future,Next-generation propulsion will define the future of the space and defense industries. We are exploring potential approaches to scale and integrate Venus's technology within critical systems.”
The propulsion systems market, valued at over $260 billion in 2022, continues to expand, with hypersonics alone expected to triple to $12 billion by 2032. Pentagon procurement is driving nearly $4 billion in near-term demand, further accelerating interest in Venus’s RDRE technology.
With more than $106 million raised to date, Venus has executed what is considered the most capital-efficient rocket engine development program in history. The company is now fielding strong interest from leading aerospace and defense firms seeking lower-cost, high-performance propulsion solutions.