Evolution Space is an American private spaceflight aerospace company providing solid propulsion systems and small launch.[1][2] The company is run by CEO and founder Steve Heller, and is currently based in Mojave, California.[1]
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Aerospace |
| Founded | December 2018 |
| Founder | Steve Heller, CEO |
| Headquarters | , United States |
| Website | evolutionspace |
History
editFounded in 2018, the company began under the brand name Sugarhouse Aerospace with cofounders Steve Heller and Riley Meik.[3] The initial mission of the company was to be a provider of low cost access to space and suborbital launch with commercial launches from Spaceport America.[3][4] In 2021, the company rebranded to Evolution Space under CEO and founder Steve Heller,[1] with its first launch as Evolution Space in November of 2021.[5]
Evolution Space performed their first successful space launch passing the Kármán line on April 22, 2023 with the Gold Chain Cowboy sounding rocket.[6]
Propulsion
editEvolution Space specializes in designing and manufacturing solid-propellant systems and launch vehicles for both defense and space applications.[2]
In October 2022, Evolution Space performed a launch vehicle system test of their propulsion system for the Gold Chain Cowboy mission. The motor performed with 20,000 pounds of peak thrust, a maximum chamber pressure of 1,630 psi and achieved 15 seconds burn time.[7]
In May 2023, Evolution Space formally includes providing solid propulsion systems along-side launch services and vehicles. The company conducted their first commercial spaceflight partnership as a propulsion provider with The Spaceport Company, as they performed test launches on their floating offshore launch platform in the Gulf of Mexico.[2] This test also marked the first commercial launch from US territorial waters.[8]
Launch
editEvolution Space held its first full-scale solid-propellant rocket mission, Too Busy Chasing Stars, in November 2021, reaching a max altitude of 188,444 feet with a max velocity of Mach 3.95.[9][5]
The company conducted two sub-scale missions, No More Questions in May 2022, and Expressionless in February 2023, validating its upgraded systems and solutions.[5]
Evolution Space completed its first space mission, Gold Chain Cowboy, on April 22, 2023, reaching apogee at 408,456 feet (124.5 km) and reached a max speed of Mach 5.2.[6][10] The test launch included a payload from Uplift Aerospace of two 3D printed silver figurines, representing Venus and Mars, created by artist Chad Knight.[6] A drogue parachute anomaly was reported resulting in a higher than expected landing velocity.[6]
| Launch | Launch Date | Vehicle Type | Height (ft) | Diameter (in) | Weight (lbs) | Launch Site | Payload | Altitude | Citation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 13, 2021 | Sounding rocket prototype | 18' | 10" | F.A.R. | 188,444 feet | [9][5] | ||
| 2 | May 22, 2022 | Sub-scale sounding rocket prototype | [5] | ||||||
| 3 | February 18, 2023 | Sub-scale sounding rocket prototype | 7' | 3" | 30 lbs | F.A.R. | 48,000 feet | [11] | |
| 4 | April 22, 2023 | Gold Chain Cowboy - Sounding rocket prototype | 22' | 10" | 900 lbs | F.A.R. | Uplift Aerospace | 408,456 feet | [6] |
References
edit- ^ a b c Werner, Debra (2022-06-10). "Xenesis signs launch pact with Evolution Space". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
- ^ a b c Foust, Jeff (2023-05-23). "The Spaceport Company demonstrates offshore launch operations". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ a b Hollenhorst, John (2019-12-13). "Payday arrives Saturday for Utah businessman's 'rocket fever'". Deseret News. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ "Spaceports – where should I test my rocket?". Aerospace Testing International. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ a b c d e Patton, Tom (2023-03-24). "Gold Chain Cowboy Mission Launch Targeted for April". The Journal of Space Commerce. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ a b c d e Messier, Doug (2023-04-25). "Evolution Space Launches Rocket on Suborbital Flight From Mojave Desert". Parabolic Arc. Archived from the original on 2023-07-26. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ Patton, Tom (2022-11-08). "Evolution Space Static Fires Next Generation Space Motor". The Journal of Space Commerce. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
- ^ Elizabeth Howell (2023-05-23). "A spaceport startup launched the 1st rocket from a floating launch pad in US waters". Space.com. Retrieved 2023-08-05.
- ^ a b "188K Flight". Multitronix. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ "408K Flight". Multitronix. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
- ^ Patton, Tom (2023-02-27). "Subscale Flight Test Campaign Completed by Evolution Space". The Journal of Space Commerce. Retrieved 2023-08-04.