Vaya Space

Liquid bipropellant engines have long been the standard for space launches, yet they come with significant challenges. These engines are complex, expensive, and require intricate plumbing and fueling infrastructure. Their fuels themselves are toxic and corrosive, raising safety and environmental concerns.

In contrast, hybrid propulsion offers an attractive alternative for space launch vehicles. By pairing solid fuel with a liquid oxidizer, hybrid engines deliver the performance and control of liquid bipropellant systems with the reliability and simplicity of solids. They feature fewer moving parts, reduced costs, and greater operational safety. While hybrid concepts date back decades, only recently have modern materials, additive manufacturing, and precision control enabled their full potential.

Vaya Space is leading the hybrid revolution. In a field long dominated by explosive fuels and complex systems, the Florida-based company is proving that safety and simplicity can drive just as much performance and power, if not more. Its patented hybrid propulsion technology combines solid thermoplastic fuel with a liquid oxidizer, offering the controllability of liquid engines without the volatility or toxicity that have long burdened traditional launch vehicles.

At the center of this innovation is what Vaya calls “elegant simplicity,” the belief that great engineering doesn’t require more parts, only smarter ones. That philosophy drives Dauntless, Vaya Space’s flagship hybrid launch vehicle. Designed from the ground up for safety, cost efficiency, and flexibility, the small satellite launcher can transport approximately one metric ton to Low Earth Orbit.

Today, Vaya’s propulsion systems are meeting the needs of commercial satellite operators seeking safe, flexible launch options. Dauntless delivers the performance of a liquid engine at a fraction of the cost and complexity. Its hybrid engine platform also underpins Vaya’s growing portfolio of orbital launch vehicles and in-space propulsion systems.

The same technology also serves as the foundation for Vaya’s defense propulsion development programs. Vaya is advancing hybrid propulsion research focused on next-generation missile and tactical systems.

“Our elegantly simple approach is anticipated to allow us to launch a Dauntless vehicle up to once a week,” said Kevin Lowdermilk, CEO of Vaya Space. “While others focus on reusability at the expense of complexity and cost, we prioritize safety, reliability, and cost-effectiveness, making Dauntless a practical solution for frequent, cost-effective access to orbit.”

The Dauntless Edge

Unlike traditional rockets, Dauntless is inherently inert and cannot explode under normal conditions. Where most vehicles include a destruct mechanism, or a “red button” to terminate flight, Vaya Space and the FAA have determined that the safest method of termination for Dauntless is to simply shut off the oxidizer flow, allowing the vehicle to fall safely into the ocean in one piece. Vaya believes that this inert nature of its launch vehicle will ultimately lead to the ability to launch rockets from inland sites, relieving congestion at coastal locations and providing expanded launch optionality.

Dauntless’s unique capabilities go even further, providing flexible and precise orbital access. Its ability to reach multiple inclinations on a rideshare basis gives satellite operators a cost-effective, predictable path to orbit. Two major factors are driving clients to the Dauntless launch vehicle: the need to build and maintain small satellite constellations and the ability to replenish satellites once they deorbit from LEO.

For example, low Earth orbit constellations require periodic replenishment as satellites deorbit over time. Rather than waiting to be a part of large, infrequent launches or relying on costly repositioning, constellation operators can deploy replacement satellites through Vaya’s regular, on-demand launch schedule. Companies don’t want to wait years or deal with the complexity of repositioning satellites using secondary propulsion. They need to reach the correct orbit quickly, and cost effectively.

Flexible Ridesharing Solutions

Vaya Space is helping make orbital access more responsive and cost-effective for the growing small satellite industry. The company’s customer-first model optimizes orbital inclinations, payload configurations, and launch cadence to meet each mission’s specific needs while maintaining flexibility and affordability.

Vaya Space is working with commercial customers to deploy small satellites into low Earth orbit beginning in 2028. One constellation operator, for instance, intends to build out a constellation over roughly two years and a number of missions, by placing a limited number of satellites at a time into precise orbits. Vaya Space worked closely with the customer to refine mission goals, determine payload groupings, and calculate optimal launch capacity for maximum efficiency on each mission. From that analysis, a tailored pricing structure was created to balance requirements and cost.

By pairing compatible customers on shared flights, Vaya Space maximizes available payload capacity. In this case, the constellation operator used about 40 percent of each launch, leaving the remaining capacity available for additional payloads. This approach demonstrates the efficiency of hybrid ridesharing and the adaptability of the Dauntless platform.

The result is a shared, economical model that ensures regular and reliable access to orbit for missions of all sizes.

Dauntless enables smaller operators to launch one or two satellites on their own schedule, without waiting for secondary rides on larger rockets, while maintaining the same precision, reliability, and performance of full-capacity missions.

“At the core of our approach is a customer-first mentality,” said Lowdermilk. “We focus on solving the unique challenges our customers face rather than forcing them to fit into a rigid launch model.”

Pioneering Green Innovation in Rocketry

Vaya Space’s leadership in hybrid propulsion extends beyond performance. This vision is driven by a team of passionate engineers and innovators who continuously push the boundaries of what’s possible. One example is the company’s commitment to environmental responsibility.

Dauntless’s solid fuel grains are made from recycled high-density polyethylene, the same material used in everyday plastic products. Each launch removes between seven and eight metric tons of plastic waste from the environment, transforming a global pollution challenge into a clean energy source for spaceflight.
Some might question whether burning plastic is environmentally sound. Vaya’s answer is grounded in data. Its highly efficient combustion process converts more than 95 percent of emissions into water vapor and carbon dioxide, minimizing both particulate waste and unburned residues. The result is one of the cleanest propulsion systems ever developed for orbital launch.

Expanding Horizons for a Sustainable Future

Vaya Space’s ambitions extend far beyond current operations. The company is developing a family of vehicles to increase cadence from one launch per month to one per week. Its initial Block 1 Dauntless is designed to deliver one metric ton to orbit, while the planned Block 2 will more than double that capacity.

To support this growth, the company is expanding its infrastructure across multiple sites, with its Florida headquarters serving as the operational hub for continued development and production. Launch operations will initially be conducted from Cape Canaveral’s Launch Complex 13, providing a dedicated platform for frequent, flexible access to orbit.

Advancing Hybrid Propulsion for Defense Applications

In parallel, Vaya’s hybrid engines are gaining traction in defense, as well-suited replacements for current solid rocket missile propulsion systems. Their hybrid engines offer better performance than solid propellants with the controllability of liquids, including the ability to start, stop, relight, and throttle in flight. This flexibility enhances survivability and accuracy, and does so while also simplifying production, transportation, and storage due to the system’s inert nature. Because of Vaya’s ability to control engines in flight, they can provide significant improvements in missile range. In fact, in recent modeling conducted with a U.S. prime contractor, a Vaya hybrid missile engine demonstrated a range increase exceeding 30 percent compared to conventional solid engine designs.

These breakthroughs are fueling Vaya’s participation in advanced defense initiatives, including missile propulsion, hypersonic applications, and Golden Dome programs.

Shaping the Future of Space and Defense

By combining innovation, sustainability, and operational excellence, Vaya Space is reshaping what’s possible in launch and propulsion. With its hybrid-powered Dauntless vehicle, the company provides a practical, cost-effective alternative for satellite deployment. In defense applications, Vaya’s hybrid propulsion systems offer equally adaptable and efficient solutions for today’s challenges and tomorrow’s missions.

As Vaya continues to advance its hybrid technology, it remains guided by its founding principle of elegant simplicity, proving that the safest, most efficient path to space doesn’t have to be the most complicated.