Juno Propulsion
Juno Propulsion builds rotating detonation rocket engines for launch, satellite and defense applications.
Juno Propulsion is a space & defense company based in Tukwila, US, founded in 2023. It has raised $1.4 million in disclosed funding. Its latest round was a Pre-seed of $1.4 million in November 2026.
Overview
Juno Propulsion develops rotating detonation engines (RDEs), a propulsion technology that uses detonating fuel waves to generate higher specific impulse than conventional rocket engines. The company says detonation waves rotate inside the chamber like an aerodynamic compressor, delivering more energy per kilogram of propellant and enabling up to twice the cargo capacity for launch vehicles, larger payloads and longer lifespans for satellites, and faster target engagement for defense missions. Founded in 2023, the team is composed of rocket scientists and engineers, including co‑founders Dr. Alexis Harroun (CEO) and Dr. Ari Martinez (CTO) [1]. Juno’s business model focuses on designing, building, and eventually licensing RDE hardware for commercial launch providers, satellite operators, and defense contractors. The firm raised $1.4 million in a pre‑seed round and remains at the prototype stage, seeking further development partners. The company points to a projected $1 trillion space economy by 2030, arguing that more efficient propulsion will be essential to capture that growth [0]. RDEs aim to double specific impulse compared with traditional combustion cycles, potentially lowering launch costs [0].
Funding
Total disclosed: $1.4M across 1 round. Computed only from sourced rounds.
| Date | Company | Amount | Stage | Lead | Other investors | Sector | Sources |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| $1.4M | Pre-seed | SOSV | — | Space & Defense | 1 |
Investors
Questions and answers
What does Juno Propulsion do?
Juno Propulsion builds rotating detonation rocket engines for launch, satellite and defense applications.
How much has Juno Propulsion raised?
Juno Propulsion has raised $1.4 million in disclosed funding across 1 round tracked by OSH.
Who has invested in Juno Propulsion?
Investors in Juno Propulsion include SOSV.
When and where was Juno Propulsion founded?
Juno Propulsion was founded in 2023 and is based in Tukwila, US.
Timeline
Founded
Sources
- 1.Uncommon Thinkers: Alexis Harroun aims for space with a new engine — and stays grounded — GeekWire, Nov 13, 2026
- 2.Juno Propulsion · Official
- 3.Juno Propulsion · Official
- 4.Juno Propulsion · Official