Venus Aerospace, a startup developing next-generation rocket and hypersonic propulsion systems, announced a strategic investment from Lockheed Martin through its venture arm, Lockheed Martin Ventures. The funding was disclosed at the Axios Future of Defense Summit in Washington, D.C., and follows Venus Aerospace’s May 2025 high-thrust test flight of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), described as a “world first.”
Venus Aerospace claims to be the only company in the world with a flight-proven, high-thrust RDRE and a clear path to scaled production. And the company’s technology is designed to deliver both defence and commercial aviation capabilities, with applications in hypersonics, space launch and high-speed flight. The investment by Lockheed Martin underscores the growing alignment between established defence primes and deep-tech propulsion startups.
With this funding and collaboration, Venus Aerospace plans to advance manufacturing and integration of its propulsion systems into wider aerospace and defence ecosystems. The RDRE and its associated systems aim to offer significantly improved efficiency and performance compared to conventional rocket engines.
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“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.”
Sassie Duggleby, Co-Founder & CEO, Venus Aerospace
“Through Lockheed Martin Ventures, we’re 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 defence industries. We’re exploring potential approaches to scale and integrate Venus’s technology within critical systems.”
Chris Moran, Vice President & General Manager, Lockheed Martin Ventures
