RocketStar
An aerospace propulsion company developing high-efficiency aerospike engines and the world's first fusion-enhanced electric thrusters for satellites and spacecraft.
- CEO / Founder
- Christopher Craddock
- Team Size
- 1-10
- Stage
- Active
- Total Funding
- $2.12M
- Latest Round
- Seed
- Key Investors
- U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA
Technology & Products
Key Products
["FireStar™ Fusion-Enhanced Pulsed Plasma Drive","M-1 Star Aerospike Engine","Star-Drive (Electric Propulsion System via Miles Space acquisition)","3D-Printed High-Temperature Aerospace Components", "Miles Space Electric Thruster Technology"]
Technological Advantage
Proprietary fusion-enhancement increases base thruster performance by approximately 50% without increasing fuel consumption; Aerospike technology allows for maximum engine efficiency at all atmospheric altitudes compared to traditional bell nozzles.
Differentiation
Value Proposition
Drastically improves propulsion efficiency and thrust-to-weight ratios by integrating aneutronic fusion into electric drives and utilizing altitude-compensating aerospike nozzles, enabling longer missions and lower fuel mass.
How They Differentiate
Proprietary fusion-enhancement (FireStar™) that boosts base thruster performance by 50% using Boron-11, combined with altitude-compensating aerospike nozzle technology.
Market & Competition
Target Customers
Satellite manufacturers (SmallSats/CubeSats), Department of Defense (DoD), NASA, and commercial space launch providers.
Industry Verticals
["Aerospace","Defense","Satellite Communications","Space Exploration"]
Competitors
Phase Four, Pangea Aerospace, Accion Systems
Growth & Milestones
Growth Metrics
Transitioned from theoretical R&D to successful hardware demonstration in 2024; expanded IP portfolio through the acquisition of Miles Space. Company facing significant legal challenges: CEO Christopher Craddock removed by board in August 2024 (contested), $6M lawsuit filed by former interim CEO Michael Mojtahedi alleging fraud and misappropriation of funds (March 2025), court rulings in February 2026 allowed majority of claims to proceed to trial.
Major Milestones
["Awarded NASA SBIR Phase I for aerospike nozzle development in 2018","Acquired Miles Space in January 2024 to integrate electric propulsion technology","Successfully demonstrated FireStar™ fusion-enhanced pulsed plasma drive at AFRL in March 2024","Integrated aneutronic fusion (Boron-11) into electric thrusters, a world-first achievement"]
Notable Customers
U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL), NASA, Defense Systems Information Analysis Center (DSIAC)