Houston – September 16, 2026 -- Venus Aerospace has officially opened a new propulsion test stand at the Houston Spaceport, expanding its capacity to test rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) technology at higher thrust levels and for longer durations.
Texas Space Commission funding backs new test infrastructure
The facility was funded through the Texas Space Commission's Space Exploration and Aeronautics Research Fund, a state program supporting aerospace and space economy growth. Venus Aerospace completed the stand on time and on budget.
New stand enables longer, higher-thrust testing to replicate mission conditions
The expanded infrastructure allows Venus to more closely simulate mission conditions and increases overall testing capacity as the company scales integrated propulsion systems toward customer use. Following the ribbon cutting on September 10, guests observed a live hot-fire test of a Venus rotating detonation rocket engine on the new stand.
Sassie Duggleby, CEO and co-founder of Venus Aerospace, said building and testing propulsion systems at this pace requires the right supporting infrastructure, adding that public investment from the Texas Space Commission and the state helps companies move faster and keeps aerospace capability growing in Texas.
Venus closed $91 million Series B in 2026 amid technical progress
The opening comes during a period of rapid growth for Venus Aerospace. In 2026, the company closed a $91 million Series B funding round, expanded its leadership team, and announced new customer and strategic relationships. This business growth follows the world's first successful flight test of a high-thrust rotating detonation rocket engine in May 2025, alongside continued ground testing.
Attendees at the September 10 opening included representatives from Venus Aerospace, the Texas Space Commission, the Houston Spaceport, and Houston-area business and community leaders, including Congressman Morgan Luttrell.