Cocoa-based Vaya Space Inc. is an Orlando Inno 2023 Fire Awards honoree. The firm ranked No. 1 in the On the Come-Up category, companies that are 5-6 years old.
Vaya Space is a privately owned launch company, and its patented vortex-hybrid engine technology cost-effectively places satellites into precision orbits. In addition, Vaya’s ability to start, stop and throttle its vortex-hybrid engines positions it well to break into the defense contracting market.
Read more about the Fire Awards in Orlando Business Journal's June 9-15, 2023, weekly edition.
Introducing the 2023 Fire Awards winners
Here’s more from Emily Paryzek, Vaya Space marketing and media coordinator:
What led to your firm’s rapid growth?
Vaya Space began with the successful execution of a DARPA [U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency] contract in 2018 to validate hybrid engine performance in a 5,000 pounds of thrust class. Since that time, the company has performed over 100 horizontal and multiple vertical test fires of our vortex-hybrid engines, culminating in a successful suborbital test flight in early 2022. Successfully executing that rigorous test campaign positioned us for rapid growth toward commercialization over the last 18 months.
What’s one big challenge your firm’s rapid growth has created?
Executing on multiple fronts while maintaining the culture that got us here. We have an amazing team and growing the right way is critical.
A little-known fact about your company:
Vaya Space board Chairman Sid Gutierrez was the first U.S.-born Hispanic astronaut. He was a pilot of Space Shuttle Columbia and mission commander of Space Shuttle Endeavor. The company's name comes from Launch Command’s final words to Sid at liftoff: “Vaya con Dios.”
Top 2023 goal:
Completing our first stage testing regime in preparation for our first payload launch in 2024
How does your company stay on the cutting edge?
The Vaya Space business model is leading edge. We strive to enhance our lives on Earth by up-cycling plastics as our rocket fuel while launching small satellites into low Earth orbit. We will push similar objectives as we mature the technologies.
Vaya Space Inc.
Top executive: Kevin Lowdermilk, CEO
- Founded: 2017
- Capital raised since founding: $30 million
- Central Florida employees: 55
- Companywide employees: 57
- Website: vayaspace.com
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