Initial Hot-Fire Testing Successfully Demonstrated the Next-Generation Drop-In Rocket Propellant in Venus' Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine
SALT LAKE CITY and HOUSTON, Sept. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Today, CycloKinetics, Inc. announced that it has selected Venus Aerospace and its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE) technology to test CycloRP fuel, a drop-in replacement for RP-1/RP-2. CycloKinetics, which produces drop-in propellants designed to work in existing engines without modification, has designed CycloRP, built for higher energy density and cleaner combustion, as a replacement for RP-1 and RP-2. The testing program is sponsored by the United States Air Force Research Laboratory and backed by the Department of War's Office of the Under Secretary of War for Research and Engineering.
Testing will happen in two rounds. The first, completed in July 2026, evaluated CycloRP's combustion performance in the RDRE and confirmed the fuel detonates successfully. The second will build on those results to assess CycloRP's performance as a coolant, circulating the fuel through the engine to help manage temperature, measured against the known cooling performance of RP-1/RP-2. Results from both rounds will feed into a fuller technical readout expected in early 2027.
"We built CycloRP to be a true drop-in replacement, no engine redesign, no compromise on performance, and testing it in a live rotating detonation rocket engine, backed by the U.S. Air Force, is exactly the kind of real-world validation this technology needs," said Mukund Karanjikar, CEO and founder of CycloKinetics. "Our work with Venus Aerospace serves as a strong example of how domestically produced propellants can support the next generation of hardware, manufactured right here in the U.S."
"Our flight-proven rotating detonation rocket engine is changing what's possible in propulsion. Efficient fuel is a critical piece of getting there," said Sassie Duggleby, Co-Founder and CEO of Venus Aerospace. "This testing gives the Air Force and CycloKinetics the chance to see how a domestically produced, drop-in propellant performs in real hot-fire testing, side by side with the fuels we know today. Testing like this is how we get to a different economics of space."
This testing builds upon previous testing CycloKinetics and Venus conducted in June 2025 at Venus' Houston facility. This new program builds on that work and reflects continued momentum for both companies.
Both companies plan to share updates once final testing has concluded.
About CycloKinetics
CycloKinetics, headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an advanced technology company developing high-performance, fully drop-in propellants and fuels for aerospace and defense applications. Its proprietary propellants are designed to outperform conventional propellants and fuels while integrating seamlessly into existing systems, enabling improved range, endurance, payload capacity, and overall mission performance. Its propellants are drop-in replacements for the current propellants and fuels which power turbine-powered platforms including Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) for Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems (C-UAS) and Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) applications, long-range and attritable missiles, next-generation propulsion, space launch systems, and commercial jets.
CycloKinetics produces its propellants domestically, supporting secure and rapidly scalable supply for defense and aerospace customers. Its industrial manufacturing facility in Salt Lake City became operational in 2025, with deliveries to customers already underway. The company's feedstock-flexible production process enables manufacturing to be optimized for locally available resources, strengthening supply chain resilience and supporting distributed and in-theater production capabilities. For more information, visit www.cyclokinetics.com
About Venus Aerospace
Venus Aerospace is building next-generation propulsion systems for defense, space, and future high-speed flight. Founded in 2020 and headquartered in Houston, Texas, Venus is developing flight-proven Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) technology designed to deliver greater efficiency, range, and scalability for defense and space missions. Venus' propulsion systems are designed for domestic manufacturing and mission flexibility across national security and aerospace applications. Venus is backed by Mercury Fund, Lockheed Martin Ventures, Prime Movers Lab, Airbus Ventures, Trousdale Ventures and others. To learn more, visit www.venusaero.com.
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SOURCE Venus Aerospace
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