Latest funding supports next phase of flight-redefining growth
Possibly we are in an era of grand visions, not just big dreams. With AI bursting all around us and the James Webb Space Telescope sending back stunning images from the universe, new and bold ventures continue to emerge. The convergence of technology, talent and funding now makes the vision of one-hour hypersonic global transport within reach—so say the co-founders of Venus Aerospace and its most recent funder Airbus Ventures.
In 2020 the wife and husband team of Sassie Duggleby, CEO, and Dr. Andrew Duggleby, CTO, launched its Houston-based hypersonic startup. They assembled a team of top industry talent to develop and build cost-effective one-hour global transport.
Brent Lytle, COO/PM, rounded out Venus’ top leadership, adding his 20 plus years of aerospace experience, while industry leaders were gathered to serve as advisors. All are working to fulfill the ambitious vision laid out by the co-founders.
CEO Duggleby brings great depth to the aerospace startup, having been Launch Systems Engineering and Mission Management Consultant at Virgin Orbit, where she also developed and tested launch software and telemetry systems. Duggleby was part of the team that helped launch rockets from the wing of a 747 as well as part of multiple high-tech startups. She also is passionate about women in tech.
CTO Dr. Duggleby, a U.S. Lieutenant Commander and an engineering professor, also worked at Virgin Orbit. He was head of launch operations he oversaw operational planning, mission control, telemetry, ground equipment, launch infrastructure, and payload operations teams.
The Texas-based Venus Aerospace is building a suite of unique capabilities to navigate the existing challenges of reusable hypersonic systems. Their early breakthroughs have attracted investor support, moving them forward to their next stage of success.
“Venus has developed the world’s first liquid-propellant rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) with a double-digit percentage increase in efficiency over standard regular engines, making the hypersonic economy possible,” says CEO Duggleby.
Having been awarded contracts with NASA and US Defense Agencies, Venus is able to accelerate the development and transition of its RDRE technology that will be used to enhance existing government missions. These advancements also enable more efficient travel in and through space.
In Spring 2022, the company raised a $20M Series A round, led by Prime Movers Lab, to fund engine development and subscale initial flight testing for building its Mach 9 hypersonic drone and Mach 9 spacecraft. Both are very important and necessary to achieve one-hour global travel.
Airbus Ventures based in Silicon Valley has joined the Venus’ group of investors in their next phase of flight-redefining growth. That includes this summer’s long-duration engine runs that will be held at Spaceport Houston, as well as the design, build, and flight of their drone.
Airbus Ventures Managing Partner Thomas d’Halluin, expresses their firm’s confidence in Venus Aerospace to both achieve hypersonic global transport and also enhance space flight.
“Venus’ compact, low mass, high efficiency engine capability will have an immediate impact on lunar and Martian landers, space mobility and logistics, and deep space mission proposals. Here on Earth today, we will see unprecedented performance gains for drones of all kinds, and more practical and faster-than-anticipated opportunities for ultra-high-speed passenger and cargo rocket plane flights.”
With talent and funding onboard, it is now all about the technology being developed to drive hypersonic global flight.
“With the strong support of Airbus Ventures now joining our investor syndicate, our next round will let Venus take the final step from lab to prototype as we fly our drone to Mach 3 under RDRE power,” sums up Dr. Duggleby.
