DENVER (WATKINS), CO — October 10, 2012 (Spaceport Colorado PR) — Front Range Airport, home to the future Spaceport Colorado, signed a Letter of Intent with Rocket Crafters, Inc. for horizontal launch, dual-propulsion, suborbital flight operations at this “remote, but accessible” general aviation airport.The Letter of Intent outlines a mutual intent to promote and develop Spaceport Colorado at Front Range Airport as the preferred commercial spaceport location in America’s heartland. Upon receipt of a spaceport license from the Federal Aviation Administration, Rocket Crafters intends to locate certain pilot astronaut and mission specialist training activities at the spaceport. Rocket Crafters further plans to conduct test flights of its planned Sidereus and Cosmos Mariner suborbital flight vehicles between Spaceport Colorado and the proposed Neil Armstrong International Air & Space Center, Titusville, Florida.
http://rocketcrafters.com/I have seen the image below on some other site, many years ago, but it is on the Rocket Crafters site now.
maybe some X- ATK people?address is in Utah.
ABS isn't just used for LEGO elements. It's also common in automotive applications and 3D printing. Smells bad compared to PLA, tho.
"We spent years working on tests and started rewickering," Fabian said. "We had been printing the fuel cylinders in stacked rings. But we learned that a horizontal, linear structure is easier and faster to print; it's more stable as you print it."The change at Rocket Crafters highlights the competitive innovation underlying this rapidly growing industry."It's secretive, yes. We don't share technology," Fabian said. "But there is a little back-channel talking just to make sure we're not stepping on each other's toes for patents."Rocket Crafters' engine design uses a 3D-printed plastic fuel core, which combines with nitrous oxide at ignition. That's different than many other rockets flying today that mix two flammable liquids. According to Rocket Crafters and others who have tested hybrid engines, they are safer because there's less risk of a catastrophic explosion."With this, there should be zero explosions," Fabian said.
Fresh news...Quote"With this, there should be zero explosions," Fabian said.
"With this, there should be zero explosions," Fabian said.
Quote from: Tywin on 03/21/2019 03:57 pmFresh news...Quote"With this, there should be zero explosions," Fabian said.A chunk of fuel breaking off and blocking the nozzle exit is a good way for a hybrid engine to explode. There can also be cracks in the propellant causing an increase in pressure or burn through, rupturing the chamber. Also nitrous oxide can explode on its own under the right conditions.
An exciting morning at @RocketCrafters: A test firing of the company’s STAR-3D hybrid engine was safely aborted ~1.5 seconds post-ignition — still enough time for my cameras to capture images! I look forward to following & watching Rocket Crafters grow in the coming years.
HF-43: The motor ignited, stabilized, and fired for approx. 1.5 seconds. At that time the igniter housing pressure seal failed, causing the system to automatically shut down. Our team is working to adapt the design to prevent this from happening again. #RedefiningRocketScience
Rocket engine test in Cocoa sends debris flying, starts fireLoud boom reported by Cidco Road area business near Rocket Crafters’ test siteBREVARD COUNTY, Fla. – Rocket engine company Rocket Crafters was conducting an engine test Thursday that resulted in a mishap sending debris flying and starting small brush fires, company officials confirmed to News 6.
During a scheduled engine test fire shortly after 12:00pm today, Rocket Crafters suffered an over-pressurization anomaly.Per standard procedure, individuals were cleared from the test bay before the test, and no one on-site was injured during the incident.
We thank the City of Cocoa, The Cocoa Fire Department, and the Cocoa Police Department for their quick response time and commitment to safety. @CityofCocoa @cocoapolice
Drone footage of damage = @Jon_Shaban @MyNews13 #News13Brevard
Looking in direction that debre departed after #RocketCrafters rocket test failure, then how close the facility is to #SpaceX #Cidco #Starship facility
Debre hit the tractor trailer in distance and not the fuel trucks, fortunately.
Sorry I search, and I don't found nothing...
https://www.vayaspace.com/dauntlessHybrid rocket DAUNTLESS, launch Q4 2023
A delivery from California to Florida on Monday marked a new milestone for aerospace company, Vaya Space. It received its first, full-sized liquid oxygen tank shell for its two-stage Dauntless rocket.The company, based in Cocoa, Florida, about 13 miles from the gates of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is working towards its first orbital launch in 2026.
Vaya Space receives pathfinding liquid oxygen tank shell for its Dauntless rocketQuoteA delivery from California to Florida on Monday marked a new milestone for aerospace company, Vaya Space. It received its first, full-sized liquid oxygen tank shell for its two-stage Dauntless rocket.The company, based in Cocoa, Florida, about 13 miles from the gates of Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, is working towards its first orbital launch in 2026.
Utilizing recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) as solid fuel with various liquid oxidizers, Vaya’s propulsion technology is non-explosive and non-toxic. This has not been done before.
COCOA, Florida – Vaya Space, a space and defense company, has announced a multi-launch contract for Vaya’s Dauntless rocket to launch the first phase of Space Telecommunications, Inc.’s small-satellite constellation. Under the agreement, Dauntless will deploy up to 250 satellites in a multi-launch campaign set to commence in 2027.
The Air Force’s innovation arm AFWERX recently awarded Vaya Space a Small Business Innovation Research contract for a hybrid hypersonic missile the service hopes can penetrate an adversary’s anti-access/area denial system.
The AFWERX SBIR Phase 1 contract involved Vaya conducting a 90-day feasibility study to explore if the company could use its hybrid engine technology to be the starter phase for a hypersonic missile, he said. The hybrid engine would get the missile’s ramjet “up to speed, and then when it’s at speed,” the hybrid engine would serve as a “fuel generator rather than as a primary propellant source, along with the ramjet, to boost it the rest of the way through” to hypersonic speeds of Mach 5 or higher.
The Phase 1 feasibility study began in May, during which Vaya took its proposed concept and turned it into a “design that we can run the analyses on, prove out that it’s going to work in our models, present that to the Air Force and then move on into Phase 2 to actually produce and test the engines,” he said. Once the Phase 2 contract is awarded, Vaya “can have an engine on the test stand within a matter of four, six months at worst,” he added. ND
In addition, Monkress said his company is planning payload processing services with Vaya Space, a Cocoa-based company that is building a 115-foot hybrid powered rocket fueled by liquid oxygen and about 20 metric tons of recycled plastic. Vaya Space plans to launch as early as the second half of 2026 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Vaya Space, a space and defense company based on Florida’s Space Coast, proudly announces the acquisition of the machining operations of KAM Technologies, a respected engineering and manufacturing firm located in Cocoa, Florida. This strategic move enhances Vaya’s vertically integrated production capabilities and marks the launch of its dedicated manufacturing division: Vaya Advanced Machining. It also expands Vaya Space’s in-house precision manufacturing capacity while allowing KAM Technologies to focus exclusively on engineering, product development, and new advancements in innovation.Under this transition, Vaya Space will take full responsibility for all machining services previously performed by KAM. Operations will continue at the same facility and utilizing the same experienced team—ensuring a seamless experience for existing customers. KAM Technologies will continue to operate independently, delivering the high-caliber engineering services that have defined its reputation for over a decade. “We are proud to carry forward the legacy of excellence that KAM Technologies built in precision machining,” said Aaron Blankenship, Vice President of Operations at Vaya Space. “This acquisition expands our manufacturing capabilities and positions us to support a broader range of high-performance applications with the precision, reliability, and scale today’s industries demand.” “As we shift more fully toward design and engineering, this transition allows us to strategically focus our resources on accelerating the growth of our product lines,” said Mark Oostdyk and Brad Dunst, Co-For media inquiries, please contact: Mary Baldino Director of Sales and Marketing Vaya Space Phone: 321-222-0858 Email: [email protected] [[ “[]Founders of KAM Technologies. “We’re confident that our machining customers will continue to receive industry-leading service under the exceptional leadership and proven expertise of the Vaya Space team.” This collaboration ensures continuity for existing machining customers, strengthens U.S. manufacturing capability, and reinforces both companies’ commitment to innovation across space, defense, and other advanced industrial sectors.
Vaya Space, a space and defense company, is pleased to announce the addition of Chad Taylor as an advisor for the Board of Directors. Taylor brings a wealth of legal expertise and operational insight to the Vaya Space team, further strengthening the company's governance. Taylor brings a broad range of experience as a legal advisor and contract general counsel, having worked with clients across industries including insurance, finance, banking, agriculture, and construction. He has extensive experience navigating complex legal landscapes, including corporate governance, mergers and acquisitions, litigation, and risk management. Taylor resumed his corporate practice in 2017 after serving two terms as the elected District Attorney for the Third Judicial District of Kansas. “We are thrilled to welcome Chad as an advisor to our Board of Directors,” said Kevin Lowdermilk, CEO of Vaya Space. “His extensive experience and strategic mindset will bring valuable perspectives as we continue to innovate and expand.” As an advisor, Taylor will contribute his legal and operational knowledge to help shape Vaya Space's ambitious initiatives. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Business Administration from the University of Kansas and earned his Juris Doctor from Chicago-Kent College of Law, equipping him with a well-rounded foundation to support the company’s mission.
Cocoa, FL – June 11, 2025— Vaya Space, a space and defense company developing breakthrough hybrid rocket systems on Florida’s Space Coast, today announced a strategic partnership with Velo3D, Inc. (OTCQX: VLDX), a leader in additive manufacturing (AM) technology known for transforming aerospace and defense supply chains through world-class metal AM. The two companies have signed a $4 million, two-year Master Services Agreement (MSA) to collaborate on high-performance additive manufacturing R&D and production. Vaya Space selected Velo3D as a key strategic partner in its propulsion development roadmap. Through the agreement, Vaya Space will leverage Velo3D’s Rapid Production Solution (RPS) to accelerate production of critical propulsion system components and meet key development timelines. Utilizing Velo3D’s Sapphire printer platform, Vaya Space will print parts in both GRCop42—a NASA-developed copper alloy for high-heat transfer and strength—and Inconel 718, a nickel superalloy known for strength and thermal resilience in aerospace applications. Vaya currently uses the Sapphire platform to produce the world’s first expander cycle hybrid rocket engine; under the agreement, the two companies will work together to optimize Sapphire’s printing parameters, increasing part quality and reducing unit cost and production time. As part of the partnership, Velo3D will serve as Vaya Space’s exclusive provider of GRCop42 additive components, delivering guaranteed capacity, advanced engineering support, and Flow™ software training to streamline design-to-production cycles for propulsion assemblies including nozzles, injectors, and turbopumps. The two companies will work collaboratively to produce high-quality engine components for aerospace and defense applications faster and at a lower cost than traditionally achievable. The combination of Velo's closed loop in-situ monitoring with Vaya's fuel grain and tank manufacturing processes will enable full hybrid rocket engines to be produced in days, with the ability to adjust designs and tailor performance profiles to meet the demands of any mission profile. “Additive manufacturing plays a central role in our ability to reduce design complexity, increase performance, and scale production,” said Aaron Blankenship, Vice President of Operations at Vaya Space. “Velo3D offers the production readiness, material capabilities, and deep technical partnership we need to bring our vision to life and deliver flight-ready engines on schedule.” “This partnership is a powerful example of how our Rapid Production Solution helps scale complex hardware manufacturing for today’s most ambitious aerospace companies,” said Dr. Arun Jeldi, CEO of Velo3D. “By combining our capabilities in GRCop42 and Inconel 718 with deep engineering collaboration, we’re helping Vaya Space achieve faster, more cost-effective production—right here in the United States.” The agreement includes a joint marketing roadmap and formal signing event at Vaya Space’s testing facility in Cocoa, Florida, where one of the propulsion systems produced with Velo3D parts will be on display.
Updates since early January.Vaya is going to use All Points Logistics payload processing facility.https://www.floridatoday.com/story/tech/science/space/2025/03/13/space-prep-plans-big-spacecraft-processing-complexes-in-cape-canaveral-florida-vandenberg-california/81749844007/ [Mar 13]QuoteIn addition, Monkress said his company is planning payload processing services with Vaya Space, a Cocoa-based company that is building a 115-foot hybrid powered rocket fueled by liquid oxygen and about 20 metric tons of recycled plastic. Vaya Space plans to launch as early as the second half of 2026 from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.
Coming in 2028
Vaya Space and Seagate Space have agreed to pursue the development of an offshore launch capability for Vaya's Dauntless hybrid rocket, supporting both commercial and defense sector missions. The collaboration aims to unlock a new era of mobile, sea-based launch infrastructure, expanding access to space with greater flexibility and mission-specific orbit targeting.The partnership leverages Seagate Space's Gateway floating launch platform, a modular, uncrewed design purpose built for launch and recovery operations from sea. Built around Vaya's patented hybrid engine architecture, Dauntless is a fully integrated launch vehicle designed, manufactured, and operated by Vaya Space. This collaboration marks a major step toward mobile and distributed launch operations, freeing space access from the bottleneck of fixed land-based spaceports."Our collaboration with Seagate Space is a key part of our strategy to offer flexible, responsive launch options," said Kevin Lowdermilk, CEO of Vaya Space. "Launching Dauntless from sea expands our ability to deliver mission-optimized orbits and complements our operations at Launch Complex 13 by giving customers even more ways to get to space. This expansion into the Gulf also opens up access to sun-synchronous orbit access for small satellite missions, increasing flexibility in both launch schedule and orbital targeting."The Seagate Space team is currently pursuing third-party validation of their Gateway platform which, once received, will make it the first such design to receive approval-in-principle under American Bureau of Shipping's offshore spaceport guidelines. Future launches and demonstrations - including a potential stage test of the Dauntless - will further the company's innovative leadership in the offshore launch arena.Both companies are Florida-based and, with plans to manufacture the Dauntless at Vaya's facility in Cocoa, may not need to look far from home for a future launch location. "Florida has amazing port infrastructure throughout the state, and we would love to bring the economic impact and excitement generated by the space sector to new locations. A comprehensive study of options is underway, and we look forward to making an announcement once complete," said Sean Fortener, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Seagate Space."
