THE NAME · STS-59 · 1994
"Vaya con Dios"
BOB SIECK, LAUNCH DIRECTOR
"Go with God." - The last words spoken to the Crew of Endeavour before liftoff of STS-59 — the mission commanded by Vaya Space founder Sid Gutierrez. The phrase became the inspiration for the company's name and its founding purpose: to make the safest space and defense systems in the world.
THE NAME · STS-59 · 1994
"Vaya con Dios"
BOB SIECK, LAUNCH DIRECTOR
"Go with God." - The last words spoken to the Crew of Endeavour before liftoff of STS-59 — the mission commanded by Vaya Space founder Sid Gutierrez. The phrase became the inspiration for the company's name and its founding purpose: to make the safest space and defense systems in the world.
2017
FOUNDED
Originally as Rocket Crafters
50+
TEAM MEMBERS
And growing — see open roles
3
FACILITIES
Within 4 miles, Cocoa FL
LC-13
LAUNCH COMPLEX
Cape Canaveral SFS · 2028
LC-13
LAUNCH COMPLEX
Cape Canaveral SFS · 2028
50+
TEAM MEMBERS
And growing — see open roles
2017
FOUNDED
Originally as Rocket Crafters
3
FACILITIES
Within 4 miles, Cocoa FL
Our Story
This is Vaya Defense & Space
Our Story
This is Vaya Defense & Space
MISSION
Vaya Space exists to make the safest space and defense systems in the world — redefining what is possible through low-cost, scalable, and powerful hybrid propulsion technology.
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
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SIDNEY M. GUTIERREZ
FORMER SPACE SHUTTLE COMMANDER · NASA'S FIRST US-BORN HISPANIC ASTRONAUT
Sid Gutierrez founded Vaya Space in 2017 to create a safer way to space — drawing on his experience as a Space Shuttle Commander to build propulsion technology that is non-explosive, non-toxic, and simpler than anything that came before. 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.
Vaya Space designs and manufactures orbital launch vehicles, in-space propulsion systems, and advanced missile engines — all powered by a single hybrid rocket engine platform that combines the performance of liquid propellants with the simplicity and reliability of solid rockets.
1994
STS-59 · SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR
Sid Gutierrez commands the Space Shuttle Endeavour mission. As the crew prepares for liftoff, Launch Director Bob Sieck sends them off with "Vaya con Dios" — the phrase that would later name the company.
2017
FOUNDED AS ROCKET CRAFTERS
Sid Gutierrez — former Space Shuttle Commander and NASA's first US-born Hispanic astronaut — founds the company in Cocoa, FL with a mission to create a safer way to space using hybrid rocket propulsion.
2022
INTERNATIONAL GREEN APPLE AWARD
Vaya Space wins the International Green Apple Environment Award and is recognized as a Green World Ambassador for its commitment to sustainable, non-toxic, recycled-fuel rocket propulsion.
2024
USAF SBIR & AFWERX CONTRACTS
Vaya commences work with the US Air Force on a SBIR Phase I hypersonic propulsion feasibility study, and is selected for a $1.2M AFWERX Phase II contract to advance hypersonic propulsion development.
2028
FIRST LAUNCH · LC-13, CAPE CANAVERAL
Dauntless, the world's first orbital launch vehicle powered by 3D-printed recycled thermoplastic hybrid propulsion, launches from LC-13 — making history on one of America's most storied launch pads.
Vaya Space designs and manufactures orbital launch vehicles, in-space propulsion systems, and advanced missile engines — all powered by a single hybrid rocket engine platform that combines the performance of liquid propellants with the simplicity and reliability of solid rockets.
1994
STS-59 · SPACE SHUTTLE ENDEAVOUR
Sid Gutierrez commands the Space Shuttle Endeavour mission. As the crew prepares for liftoff, Launch Director Bob Sieck sends them off with "Vaya con Dios" — the phrase that would later name the company.
2017
FOUNDED AS ROCKET CRAFTERS
Sid Gutierrez — former Space Shuttle Commander and NASA's first US-born Hispanic astronaut — founds the company in Cocoa, FL with a mission to create a safer way to space using hybrid rocket propulsion.
2022
INTERNATIONAL GREEN APPLE AWARD
Vaya Space wins the International Green Apple Environment Award and is recognized as a Green World Ambassador for its commitment to sustainable, non-toxic, recycled-fuel rocket propulsion.
2024
USAF SBIR & AFWERX CONTRACTS
Vaya commences work with the US Air Force on a SBIR Phase I hypersonic propulsion feasibility study, and is selected for a $1.2M AFWERX Phase II contract to advance hypersonic propulsion development.
2028
FIRST LAUNCH · LC-13, CAPE CANAVERAL
Dauntless, the world's first orbital launch vehicle powered by 3D-printed recycled thermoplastic hybrid propulsion, launches from LC-13 — making history on one of America's most storied launch pads.
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
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SIDNEY M. GUTIERREZ
FORMER SPACE SHUTTLE COMMANDER · NASA'S FIRST US-BORN HISPANIC ASTRONAUT
Sid Gutierrez founded Vaya Space in 2017 to create a safer way to space — drawing on his experience as a Space Shuttle Commander to build propulsion technology that is non-explosive, non-toxic, and simpler than anything that came before. 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.
MISSION
Vaya Space exists to make the safest space and defense systems in the world — redefining what is possible through low-cost, scalable, and powerful hybrid propulsion technology.
GREEN INNOVATION
Among the Greenest Rockets in the World
Among the Greenest Rockets in the World
GREEN INNOVATION
Vaya's solid rocket fuel is produced from 99% recycled post-industrial thermoplastic. The Dauntless rocket utilizes more than 7.8 metric tons of it 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 COâ‚‚ as they ascend to orbit — minimizing environmental impact and eliminating the health and safety issues typically inherent to rocket propulsion.
7.8
MT
RECYCLED PLASTIC PER LAUNCH
Post-industrial thermoplastic removed from the pollution stream
99
%
RECYCLED FUEL GRAIN
Post-industrial thermoplastic, 3D-printed to custom geometries
Hâ‚‚O
+ COâ‚‚
ENGINE BYPRODUCTS
Water vapor and COâ‚‚ — minimal environmental impact on ascent
Non
-toxic
PROPELLANT CLASS
Non-explosive, non-toxic — safer at every stage
INTERNATIONAL GREEN APPLE ENVIRONMENT AWARD · 2022
Recognized as a Green World Ambassador for Vaya's commitment to sustainable, recycled-fuel hybrid rocket propulsion.
99
%
RECYCLED FUEL GRAIN
Post-industrial thermoplastic, 3D-printed to custom geometries
Non-explosive, non-toxic — safer at every stage
PROPELLANT CLASS
Non
-toxic
Vaya's solid rocket fuel is produced from 99% recycled post-industrial thermoplastic. The Dauntless rocket utilizes more than 7.8 metric tons of it 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 COâ‚‚ as they ascend to orbit — minimizing environmental impact and eliminating the health and safety issues typically inherent to rocket propulsion.
7.8
MT
RECYCLED PLASTIC PER LAUNCH
Post-industrial thermoplastic removed from the pollution stream
Hâ‚‚O
+ COâ‚‚
ENGINE BYPRODUCTS
Water vapor and COâ‚‚ — minimal environmental impact on ascent
INTERNATIONAL GREEN APPLE ENVIRONMENT AWARD · 2022
Recognized as a Green World Ambassador for Vaya's commitment to sustainable, recycled-fuel hybrid rocket propulsion.
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infrastructure
The Vaya Defense & Space Campus
infrastructure
The Vaya Defense & Space Campus
HEADQUARTERS
VAYA SPACE HQ
Corporate headquarters, engineering offices, and primary design and development facility. Home to Vaya's propulsion engineering, simulation software, and business teams — all under one roof in Cocoa, FL.
MANUFACTURING
PRODUCTION FACILITIES
Additive manufacturing of 3D-printed fuel grain, engine component production, and system assembly. Purpose-built for the mass manufacturing of hybrid rocket engines using commercially available thermoplastic and standard industrial equipment.
TEST & VALIDATION
LARGE SCALE TEST FACILITY
On-campus hot-fire testing facility supporting rapid prototype validation and production acceptance testing. Enables Vaya to iterate from design to hot-fire in less than five months — compressing the development cycle that takes competitors years.
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, with no supply chain dependencies outside the state of Florida.
50+
TEAM MEMBERS
Engineers, operators, and staff
Florida
DESIGN-BUILD-TEST-LAUNCH
Only company doing all four on the Space Coast
<20
MILES TO LC-13
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
3
FACILITIES
Within 4 miles of each other
CAMPUS LOCATION
2941 OXBOW CIRCLE
Cocoa, FL 32926 · Brevard County · Florida's Space Coast
HEADQUARTERS
Vaya defense & Space HQ
Corporate headquarters, engineering offices, and primary design and development facility. Home to Vaya's propulsion engineering, simulation software, and business teams — all under one roof in Cocoa, FL.
MANUFACTURING
PRODUCTION FACILITY
Additive manufacturing of 3D-printed fuel grain, engine component production, and system assembly. Purpose-built for the mass manufacturing of hybrid rocket engines using commercially available thermoplastic and standard industrial equipment.
TEST & VALIDATION
LARGE SCALE TEST FACILITY
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, with no supply chain dependencies outside the state of Florida.
3
FACILITIES
Within 4 miles of each other
<20
MILES TO LC-13
Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
FL
DESIGN·BUILD·TEST·
LAUNCH
Only company doing all four on the Space Coast
50+
TEAM MEMBERS
Engineers, operators, and staff
CAMPUS LOCATION
2941 OXBOW CIRCLE
Cocoa, FL 32926 · Brevard County · Florida's Space Coast
WHO WE ARE
The Vaya Team
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
SIDNEY M. GUTIERREZ
BOARD MEMBER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WES NAYLOR
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
ROBERT FABIAN
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
GRANT BEGLEY
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
KEVIN LOWDERMILK
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
WARD SCHRAEDER
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
RON SCHNEWEIS
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
CHAD TAYLOR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
SIDNEY M. GUTIERREZ
BOARD MEMBER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WES NAYLOR
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
ROBERT FABIAN
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
GRANT BEGLEY
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
KEVIN LOWDERMILK
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
WARD SCHRAEDER
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
RON SCHNEWEIS
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
CHAD TAYLOR
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD
SIDNEY M. GUTIERREZ
BOARD MEMBER & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
WES NAYLOR
CHIEF OPERATIONS OFFICER
ROBERT FABIAN
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
GRANT BEGLEY
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
KEVIN LOWDERMILK
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
WARD SCHRAEDER
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
RON SCHNEWEIS
INDEPENDENT BOARD MEMBER
CHAD TAYLOR
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL WESLEY K. CLARK, U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe · Brings decades of strategic leadership and defense industry relationships to the Vaya board.
Enverra — Chaired by Gen. Clark — supports fundraising efforts and provides strategic advisory services to Vaya Space.
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL ROBERT "ABE" ABRAMS, U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Former Commander, US Forces Korea · Provides operational and strategic defense advisory services to Vaya's leadership team and board.
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL WESLEY K. CLARK, U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Former Supreme Allied Commander Europe · Brings decades of strategic leadership and defense industry relationships to the Vaya board.
Enverra — Chaired by Gen. Clark — supports fundraising efforts and provides strategic advisory services to Vaya Space.
ADVISOR TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
GENERAL ROBERT "ABE" ABRAMS, U.S. ARMY (RET.)
Former Commander, US Forces Korea · Provides operational and strategic defense advisory services to Vaya's leadership team and board.
ADVISORS TO THE BOARD
