Evolution Space
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] HistoryFounded 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 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] PropulsionEvolution 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 alongside 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] LaunchEvolution 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]
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