Vaya Space is a space and defense company, founded in 2017 as Rocket Crafters, based in Cocoa, Florida.[1][2][3] It develops and manufactures orbital launch vehicles and vortex-hybrid rocket engines.[4] In 2022, the company won the International Green Apple Environment Award and was recognised as a Green World Ambassador.[5] In 2024, it was awarded a contract by the Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX to develop hybrid engine technology for hypersonic missiles.[2][6] A Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center (DEVCOM AvMC) was signed in 2024.[7] Its hybrid rocket has a successful launch on 29 January 2022 (Mojave, California).[4] Dauntless is a rocket with 3 stages, hybrid propulsion (HDPE Fuel/LOX), length: 19.7 m, and a payload of 1.100 kg to LEO, 600 kg SSO. [8] Its first orbital trip is planned for 2028.[9] The fuel utilised by the rocket is solid: 3D printed from recycled thermoplastics[4][8] combined with liquid oxidizer.
External links
References
- Will Robinson-Smith. Vaya Space receives pathfinding liquid oxygen tank shell for its Dauntless rocket – Spaceflight Now^
- Vaya Space Awarded SBIR Phase I Hybrid Rocket Ejector-Ramjet Airbreathing Hypersonic Missile Study www.newswire.com^
- Vaya Space Announces Strategic Partnership with All Points’ Space Prep Launch Support Program March 20, 2024^
- Vaya Space Completes First Suborbital Test Flight February 17, 2022^
- Angelina Ruiz. Vaya Space Wins International Green Award for Sustainability and Environmental Impact September 27, 2022^
- https://www.nationaldefensemagazine.org/articles/2024/8/19/air-force-invests-in-hybrid-hypersonic-missile-engine^
- Vaya Space Signs Agreement With Army DEVCOM Aviation and Missile Center to Explore Vortex Hybrid Rocket Engine for Defense Missile Use www.newswire.com^
- Vaya Space Wins International Green Award for Sustainability and Environmental Impact^
- Launch Made Simple Vaya Space, retrieved 16 November 2025^