Evolution Space
TypePrivate
IndustryAerospace
FoundedDecember 2018 (2018-12)
FounderSteve Heller, CEO
Headquarters
Mojave, California
,
United States
Websiteevolutionspace.com

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]

History

Founded 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

Evolution Space specializes in designing and manufacturing solid-propellant systems and launch vehicles for both defense and space applications.[2]

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 a 15 second burn time.[7]

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

Evolution 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

  1. 1 2 3 Werner, Debra (2022-06-10). "Xenesis signs launch pact with Evolution Space". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-07-27.
  2. 1 2 3 Foust, Jeff (2023-05-23). "The Spaceport Company demonstrates offshore launch operations". SpaceNews. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  3. 1 2 Hollenhorst, John (2019-12-13). "Payday arrives Saturday for Utah businessman's 'rocket fever'". Deseret News. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  4. ↑ "Spaceports – where should I test my rocket?". Aerospace Testing International. 2020-10-22. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  5. 1 2 3 4 5 Patton, Tom (2023-03-24). "Gold Chain Cowboy Mission Launch Targeted for April". The Journal of Space Commerce. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 Messier, Doug (2023-04-25). "Evolution Space Launches Rocket on Suborbital Flight From Mojave Desert". Parabolic Arc. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  7. ↑ Patton, Tom (2022-11-08). "Evolution Space Static Fires Next Generation Space Motor". The Journal of Space Commerce. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. 1 2 "188K Flight". Multitronix. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  10. ↑ "408K Flight". Multitronix. Retrieved 2023-07-28.
  11. ↑ Patton, Tom (2023-02-27). "Subscale Flight Test Campaign Completed by Evolution Space". The Journal of Space Commerce. Retrieved 2023-08-04.
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