RDRE

The Most Efficient Rocket Engine Ever Built

Revolutionary performance

The Venus Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) is the first fundamental leap in rocket propulsion since the Apollo Program. Harnessing supersonic detonation waves, it delivers historic efficiency, reusability, and throttling—cutting launch costs and expanding mission flexibility across payload, speed, and range. The RDRE redefines performance across space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight.

World’s First High-Thrust RDRE Flight

A Generational Breakthrough

Harnessing supersonic detonation waves, the RDRE is 15% more efficient than any rocket engine in history. Unlike traditional rocket engines, which rely on subsonic combustion, the RDRE employs a detonation wave propagating around an annular combustor to generate thrust. This detonation wave, traveling at supersonic speeds, enables breakthroughs in speed, efficiency, thrust-to-weight ratio, engine size, and range.

Designed for scale

Compact and built with advanced manufacturing techniques, the RDRE uses no moving parts, relies on standard materials, and has a resilient supply chain. It’s also at least an order of magnitude cheaper to produce than most rocket engines on the market.

The first fundamental improvement in rocket engine technology in 60+ years, the Venus Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) is a proven, breakthrough technology that will revolutionize propulsion for space, defense, and commercial high-speed flight. It boasts historic efficiency, low cost, and a fundamental design that can scale to fit a wide range of performance parameters and modes of employment.

Defense

Powerful, compact, and affordable, the RDRE delivers game changing performance for munitions and reusable uncrewed systems, offering a wide range of operational advantages including longer ranges, high speeds, and flexible flight profiles unmatched by legacy propulsion systems.

Space

The RDRE's historic efficiency and reusability directly translate into lower costs and greater payload. Today, the RDRE is positioned to power upper stages for launch vehicles, orbital transfer applications, and landers—enabling faster, more affordable, and more flexible access to space.