Evolution Space
Evolution Space is a solid rocket motor and propulsion company developing high burn-rate propellants (Maelstrom and Whiplash) for hypersonic, tactical defense, and space launch applications, primarily serving the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, and NASA.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2018
- HeadquartersMojave, United States
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Evolution Space does
Evolution Space and Energetics Corp is a privately-held solid rocket motor and propulsion company founded in 2018 and headquartered in Mojave, California. The company designs, develops, and manufactures solid propellant motors for three end uses: space launch, hypersonic boost and target applications, and tactical defense systems. Its commercial product portfolio consists of two propellant families, Maelstrom (extended burn for long-range booster and hypersonic missions) and Whiplash (fast burn, low-signature tactical propellant), complemented by in-house flight control and guidance hardware. Evolution Space originated as a suborbital nanosatellite launch provider (Too Busy Chasing Stars mission in November 2021; Gold Chain Cowboy mission in April 2023, the latter reaching 124.5 km and Mach 5.2 and making the firm the 9th privately funded U.S. company to reach space) before pivoting toward defense and hypersonic customers.
The company monetizes primarily through U.S. Department of Defense and Air Force development contracts (AFWERX SBIR Phase I and Phase II totaling $1.2MM for hypersonic boost and target solutions), direct defense sales, and partnership-based launch services (e.g., sea-based launches with The Spaceport Company). Production and testing infrastructure is anchored by the Evolution Space Propulsion Center at NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi, a 36-acre repurposed former Army ammunition plant with E-3 Test Complex access and baseline capacity of 2,000 lb. of propellant per day. The go-to-market motion is direct B2B/government-contracting, supported by a Washington, DC government relations office. In March 2026, X-Bow Systems announced an agreement to acquire Evolution Space to integrate its high burn-rate SRM technology, propellant trade secrets, and Stennis manufacturing footprint into X-Bow's energetics capacity.
Evolution Space firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Evolution Space
- Legal name
- Evolution Space and Energetics Corp
- Website
- https://evolutionspace.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2018
- Operating status
- Acquired
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Evolution Space is a solid rocket motor and propulsion company developing high burn-rate propellants (Maelstrom and Whiplash) for hypersonic, tactical defense, and space launch applications, primarily serving the U.S. Department of Defense, Air Force, and NASA.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Evolution Space industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aerospace & Defense — Solid Rocket Motor and Hypersonic Propulsion
- NAICS
- Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Propulsion Unit and Propulsion Unit Parts Manufacturing (336415), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414)
- SIC
- Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Aircraft Engines & Engine Parts (3724)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Rocket Engines (Solid) (IMABADAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Hypersonic Systems (Weapons & Defense) (IMABAOAG), Launch Vehicles & Orbital Rockets (IMABACAA), Military Aerospace Engines & Propulsion (IMABAMAD)
Keywords
Where Evolution Space is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Mojave
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices3 records
Markets served
Evolution Space business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Solid Rocket Motor Sales: Sale of solid rocket motors and propulsion systems to defense customers, government agencies, and commercial space companies. Products include Maelstrom (extended boost) and Whiplash (fast-burn tactical) propulsion systems.
- Government SBIR Contracts: Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contracts from AFWERX/AFRL for hypersonic boost and target solutions. Phase I and Phase II contracts supporting development of defense-oriented propulsion technology.
- Launch Services: Rapid and affordable suborbital space launches for nanosatellites and other nanosat-sized payloads. Containerized launch solutions that can be booked online. Services include launch vehicle provision and launch coordination.
- Partnership Launch Revenue: Revenue from providing rockets and launch coordination services to partners like The Spaceport Company for sea-based hypersonic test ranges.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Evolution Space product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Evolution Space designs, manufactures, and sells solid rocket motors and hypersonic propulsion systems for space launch and defense applications. The company offers two core propulsion product lines — Maelstrom (extended boost propellant for space booster and hypersonic use) and Whiplash (fast-burn tactical propellant for defense) — under a "Solids as a Service" model, complemented by suborbital launch services for nanosatellites and a solid propulsion manufacturing/testing center at NASA Stennis Space Center.
Product overview
Evolution Space is a solid rocket motor and hypersonic propulsion company offering two primary propulsion product lines: Maelstrom (extended boost propellant for space and hypersonic applications) and Whiplash (fast burn tactical propellant for defense). The company operates the NASA Stennis Propulsion Center for production and testing, and has achieved space access with its Gold Chain Cowboy mission. Products are marketed under a 'Solids as a Service' model providing rapidly-responsive solid propulsion for the next generation of space research and defense applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Whiplash: Fast burn tactical propellant designed for unmatched versatility, scalability and reliability for rapid acceleration and extended burn times. Tailorable for discreet short and long-range delivery applications.
- Maelstrom
Products and services
- Maelstrom Extended boost solid propellant designed for long-range space booster and hypersonic applications. Demonstrated flight heritage above the Kármán line.
- Whiplash Fast burn tactical solid propellant for commercial and defense applications. Designed for rapid acceleration and extended burn times with low signature capability for discreet delivery.
- Suborbital Launch Services Rapid and affordable suborbital space launch services for nanosatellites and nanosat-sized payloads, with containerized launch solutions.
Quantifiable outcome
- 124.5 km altitude (24.5 km past Kármán line) at Mach 5.2 velocity on first space mission
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Evolution Space
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Evolution Space technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature5 records
Evolution Space partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- X-Bow SystemscoreX-Bow Systems announced agreement to acquire Evolution Space in March/April 2026. Transaction includes Evolution's SRM manufacturing site at Stennis Space Center, hypersonic technology portfolio, and advanced manufacturing facility. Acquisition aimed at scaling production and extending presence in hypersonics programs, expanding X-Bow's energetics production capacity.
- The Spaceport CompanycorePartnership for sea-based hypersonic launch operations. Evolution Space provides sub-scale rocket vehicles and launch coordination services. Successfully conducted sea-based launch of hypersonic test rocket to 55,500 ft from Gulf of Mexico aboard The Spaceport Company's vessel 'Once in a Lifetime'. Also conducted first commercial rocket launch from U.S. territorial waters in May 2023.
- AFWERX / Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreSBIR Phase II contract awarded in August 2024 for $1.2MM focused on solid propulsion hypersonic boost and target solutions to address pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force. AFWERX streamlines the SBIR/STTR process with faster proposal to award timelines.
- AFWERX / Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL)coreSBIR Phase I contract focused on solid propulsion hypersonic boost and target solutions. Preceded the Phase II contract.
- NASA Stennis Space CentercorePartnership to establish the first-ever solid propulsion center at NASA Stennis Space Center in Mississippi. Evolution Space gains access to critical NASA Stennis infrastructure and expertise for building propulsion capabilities. The center repurposes former Mississippi Army Ammunition Plant facilities acquired by NASA in 2011. Scheduled for active operations in Q2 2024 with 200-gallon propellant mixer, propellant storage, and static fire testing using the E-3 Test Complex.
- XenesisminorMemorandum of understanding signed to launch a small satellite constellation for optical communications startup Xenesis. Represents commercial launch services opportunity.
Scale indicators9 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Evolution Space competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- X-Bow Systems: Acquirer of Evolution Space and a direct competitor in solid rocket motor and hypersonic propulsion manufacturing for defense applications. Both companies focus on SRM production scale-up and addressing the US munitions industrial-base gap.
- Ursa Major Technologies: Privately-held solid rocket motor and propulsion manufacturer serving space launch and defense customers. Highly comparable as a vertically integrated, small-team SRM startup targeting hypersonic and tactical propulsion with proprietary propellants.
Broad incumbents
- Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris): Established US prime contractor and dominant solid rocket motor supplier across missile, launch, and defense programs. Recently acquired by L3Harris; represents the incumbent baseline against which Evolution Space is competing for second-source SRM awards.
- Northrop Grumman: Major aerospace prime supplying solid rocket motors for strategic missiles (Minuteman, GBSD/Sentinel) and space launch (Orion, Antares). The dominant defense propulsion incumbent that DoD is explicitly trying to diversify away from.
- Rocket Lab: Publicly-traded launch and propulsion company with a Neutron rocket program and acquisition of SolAero and Sinclair Interplanetary. Comparable as a vertically integrated space company developing its own propulsion, including solid and electric systems, with both commercial and defense customers.
- Anduril Industries: Large defense technology company building autonomous systems, missiles (Roadrunner, Barracuda), and solid rocket motor capacity through its Energetics division. Represents the broader new-entrant defense prime category that Evolution Space's SRM tech could supply or compete with.
Emerging players
- Stratolaunch: Hypersonic test services provider using the Talon-A reusable testbed, operating from a launch aircraft. Overlaps with Evolution Space's sea-based hypersonic test work with The Spaceport Company — both are building the infrastructure for routine hypersonic flight testing.
- Firefly Aerospace: Mid-stage launch vehicle and in-space services company with a portfolio that includes Alpha small launcher and Space Utility Vehicles. Comparable as a smaller propulsion-enabled player competing in the US space and defense industrial base.
- Stoke Space: Privately-held launch startup developing reusable Nova rocket with in-house propulsion. Comparable in scale and stage to Evolution Space, addressing similar commercial/defense launch markets with vertically integrated propulsion.
- Phantom Space Corporation: Early-stage small launch company developing Daytona vehicle with manufacturing focus. Comparable as a privately-held small-launcher addressing commercial and defense smallsat markets with internal propulsion efforts.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Evolution Space social profiles
Digital presenceEvolution Space financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Evolution Space leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Evolution Space funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds9 records
Investors2 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Evolution Space M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Evolution Space
What does Evolution Space do?
Evolution Space designs, manufactures, and sells solid rocket motors and hypersonic propulsion systems for space launch and defense applications. The company offers two core propulsion product lines — Maelstrom (extended boost propellant for space booster and hypersonic use) and Whiplash (fast-burn tactical propellant for defense) — under a "Solids as a Service" model, complemented by suborbital launch services for nanosatellites and a solid propulsion manufacturing/testing center at NASA Stennis Space Center.
Is Evolution Space a public or private company?
Evolution Space is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently acquired.
When was Evolution Space founded?
Evolution Space was founded in 2018. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Evolution Space based?
Evolution Space is headquartered in Mojave, United States, in the North America region.
How does Evolution Space make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Solid Rocket Motor Sales are the primary driver. The others are government SBIR Contracts, launch Services and partnership Launch Revenue.
Who are Evolution Space's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are X-Bow Systems and Ursa Major Technologies. Broad incumbents are Aerojet Rocketdyne (L3Harris), Northrop Grumman, Rocket Lab and Anduril Industries. Emerging players are Stratolaunch, Firefly Aerospace, Stoke Space and Phantom Space Corporation.
Does Evolution Space have an API?
No public API is recorded for Evolution Space.
What industry is Evolution Space in?
Evolution Space's product category is Aerospace & Defense — Solid Rocket Motor and Hypersonic Propulsion. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABADAF, Rocket Engines (Solid), with a secondary code of IMABAOAG, Hypersonic Systems (Weapons & Defense). Its NAICS code is 336415 and its SIC code is 3760.