VAYA Space, formerly known as Rocket Crafters, is a Florida-based company developing hybrid rocket engines and small satellite launch vehicles. Their flagship rocket is called Dauntless, which utilizes their proprietary STAR-3D hybrid rocket engine technology.
Overview of VAYA Space
VAYA Space was founded in 2017 by former NASA astronaut Sid Gutierrez with the goal of revolutionizing access to space using hybrid rocket technology. The company is headquartered in Cocoa, Florida with subsidiaries in Brazil.
VAYA’s hybrid engines use 3D printed fuel grains made of non-explosive thermoplastic material. The solid fuel grain only becomes high-energy when combined with liquid oxidizer, making the system much safer to handle compared to traditional solid or liquid propellant rockets.
In January 2022, VAYA successfully conducted a suborbital test flight of a small hybrid rocket in California, validating their engine design. This milestone paves the way for orbital launches planned to begin in 2025 from Cape Canaveral.
Dauntless Launch Vehicle
The Dauntless rocket stands 35 meters tall and is capable of launching over 1000 kg to low Earth orbit or 600 kg to sun-synchronous orbit. It uses VAYA’s STAR-3D hybrid engines in both stages.
Key features of Dauntless include:
- Payload capacity of 1000+ kg to LEO or 600+ kg to SSO
- 2.5 meter diameter first stage
- 2.15 meter diameter second stage and fairing
- Mobile launch capability from a simple concrete pad
- Short launch cycles – engines can be built and integrated rapidly
Dauntless is designed to provide flexible, on-demand launch services for small satellites. VAYA aims to achieve a build-integrate-launch cycle of under 30 days by leveraging the simplicity and manufacturability of their hybrid engines.
Recent Progress
VAYA has been making rapid strides towards orbital launches with partnerships and agreements in place:
- Signed multi-faceted agreements with NASA to test engines at Stennis and Kennedy Space Centers
- Awarded multiple patents related to their vortex hybrid engine technology
- Secured exclusive launch contracts with satellite operators like All2Space and Orbits Edge
- Received launch complex site allocation from Space Force at Cape Canaveral
- Completed successful suborbital test flight of a small hybrid rocket in January 2022
The company aims to be ready for first commercial orbital launches of the Dauntless vehicle in 2025, pending final development and testing. VAYA’s hybrid technology could provide a lower-cost and environmentally sustainable option compared to traditional rockets.
