top of page

VAYA SPACE

About the Company

OUR HISTORY

A Legacy in Space

Vaya Space designs and manufactures orbital launch vehicles, in-space propulsion systems, and advanced missile engines.

 

Our breakthrough hybrid rocket engine technology—which uses liquid oxidizer and solid fuel—combines the performance and versatility of a liquid bipropellant rocket engine with the simplicity and reliability of a solid rocket motor.

 

On top of its high performance and efficiency, our propulsion technology is the safest in the world, with completely non-explosive, non-toxic propellants. It is also among the greenest, utilizing 7.8 metric tons of recycled post-industrial plastic per launch.

 

Vaya’s low-cost, scalable, and powerful propulsion technology will redefine what is possible in space and defense.

Vaya Clouds
Sid Gutierrez

Sid Gutierrez, former Space Shuttle Commander and NASA’s first US-born Hispanic astronaut, founded Vaya Space in 2017 to create a safer way to space.

Vaya develops breakthrough hybrid propulsion and rocket technologies that are non-explosive, non-toxic, and reliable—bringing safety and simplicity to launch, in-space propulsion, and America’s warfighters.

During the launch countdown of STS-59, the last words spoken by Launch Director Bob Sieck to the Crew of Endeavour before liftoff were “Vaya con Dios” a common Hispanic farewell which means “Go with God.” Vaya Space exists to make the safest space and defense systems in the world.

GREEN INNOVATION

Eco-Friendly Propulsion Technology

Vaya’s solid rocket fuel is produced from 99% recycled post-industrial thermoplastic, and our Dauntless rocket utilizes more than 7.8 metric tons per launch—safely breaking it down into non-toxic byproducts and removing it from the pollution stream.

 

Our propellants are completely non-toxic and non-explosive, and our engines are primarily reduced to water vapor and CO₂ as they ascend to orbit—minimizing environmental impact and eliminating health and safety issues typically inherent to rocket propulsion.

 

Vaya is committed to developing the safest and greenest rockets and propulsion systems.

INFRASTRUCTURE

Our Facilities

Large Scale Test Facility

Vaya Space Headquarters

Test Facility

LOCATION

The Vaya Space Campus

WHO WE ARE

Meet the Team

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER

Grant

Begley

Grant Begley

CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Sidney M. Gutierrez 

Sid Gutierrez

INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER

Ward Schraeder 

Ward Schraeder

PRESS

Vaya Space in the News

ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

General Robert 'Abe' Abrams

(U.S. Army ret.)

Gen Abe Abrams

ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 

General Wesley K. Clark 
(U.S. Army ret.) 

Gen Wesley Clark
Enverra_Logo_BW.webp

Enverra, Chaired by retired General Wesley Clark, supports fundraising efforts and provides strategic advisory services.

THE VAYA TEAM

GROUP FINAL 1.png

Vaya Space

Vaya Space is the Space Coast’s hometown launch company. Our Cocoa, FL campus spans three facilities within a four-mile radius, allowing us to design, manufacture, test, and iterate on our systems quickly.

Test Site
770 Facility Cocoa
Vaya Headquarters

Located less than 20 miles from Vaya’s Cocoa, FL campus, LC-13 makes Vaya the only company to design, build, test, and launch orbital rockets all from Florida’s Space Coast.

 

Offering access to low and mid-inclination orbits, LC-13 will facilitate regular launches of Dauntless.

 

The last rocket to launch from LC-13 was Atlas-Agena in 1978. In 2015, SpaceX made history landing the first-ever orbital rocket booster at LC-13. This historic pad will soon make history again as the place where Vaya Space launches the first hybrid rocket fueled by recycled thermoplastic—a leap forward in safe, efficient, and affordable access to space.

Launch Complex 13
Cape Canaveral, FL

LC 13 Kennedy Space center
Vaya Space Logo

BOARD MEMBER & 
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

Kevin 

Lowdermilk

Kevin Lowdermilk

CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER

Robert 

Fabian

Robert Fabian
bottom of page