PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jun 18, 2025--
In a first-of-its-kind test, CleanJoule’s high-performance alternative rocket fuel, SpaceSAF, was successfully used to power a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) developed by Venus Aerospace, marking a major validation of next-generation fuel compatibility with cutting-edge propulsion systems. The ground test was conducted at Venus’s Houston-based test site and represents a significant step forward in expanding the operational flexibility of RDRE technology across dual use missions.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250617625263/en/
“Without affordable, domestically-produced alternative fuels, the financial and environmental costs of space missions become unsustainable,” said Mukund Karanjikar, CEO and founder, CleanJoule. "The successful detonation of an RDRE utilizing SpaceSAF proves that alternative fuels can deliver for both performance and emissions needs in commercial and defense applications.”
SpaceSAF is a drop-in replacement for liquid (RP-1 & RP-2) rocket fuels that improves mission performance including increasing payload and distance. From the same base material used to produce SpaceSAF, CleanJoule also produces a sustainable solid rocket fuel (SSRF) for use as a superior performance, drop-in replacement for existing solid rocket motors. This milestone comes at a critical time with an ecosystem emerging that is focused on expanding access to space across satellite deployment, exploration, and defense systems. As more frequent launches drive up related CO2 emissions, the need for performant alternatives to conventional rocket fuels is urgent.
“This test helps advance an important conversation in aerospace: how to pair next-gen propulsion with alternative fuels that don’t compromise on performance,” said Nick Cardwell, VP of Product and Advanced Concepts, Venus Aerospace. “CleanJoule’s work on high-performance, low-emissions fuels contributes meaningfully to an evolving space and defense ecosystem, and we’re pleased to see their product perform under real operational conditions.”
About CleanJoule
CleanJoule Inc., headquartered in Salt Lake City, Utah, is an advanced fuels company that enhances performance across commercial and defense aerospace. CleanJoule’s breakthrough pathway produces the only full performance, 100 percent drop-in advanced fuel that can be used for commercial, military, and space applications. CleanJoule's focus is on distributed manufacturing of advanced aviation fuels using readily available domestic biomass feedstocks, further ensuring supply chain resilience. CleanJoule’s manufacturing process has superior efficiency while increasing energy density and reducing carbon emissions, soot, and contrail formation. Backed by Indigo Partners, Cleanhill Partners, GenZero, Frontier Airlines, Wizz Airlines, and Volaris, CleanJoule is on a mission to create superior aerospace and defense fuels that enable domestic supply chain resiliency. For more information, visit https://cleanjoule.com/.
CleanJoule’s high-performance alternative rocket fuel, SpaceSAF, was successfully used to power a Rotating Detonation Rocket Engine (RDRE) developed by Venus Aerospace, marking a major validation of next-generation fuel compatibility with cutting-edge propulsion systems.
PARK CITY, Utah (AP) — Summer Britcher got a gold medal and gave USA Luge a historic moment.
Britcher delivered the 50th World Cup win in USA Luge’s history, winning a women’s singles race on the 2002 Olympic track on Saturday night.
It was Britcher’s sixth World Cup victory, extending her singles record for U.S. athletes. She's now fourth U.S. slider to win six golds on the circuit; doubles sliders Mark Grimmette and Brian Martin won 11, and 2014 Olympic bronze medalist Erin Hamlin won six as well — four in singles, two in relays.
“I feel so good,” Britcher said. “It's been quite a while since I stood on top of the podium. I can't even describe.”
Her first win was at Park City, 10 years and two days ago. She won three times in that 2015-16 season and twice more in 2017-18 — and not since, until Saturday.
Britcher — who finished two runs in 1 minute, 26.961 seconds — had the overnight lead after Friday's start in the unique two-day, two-run format; typically, World Cup singles races are two runs in one day. That meant she was the last to slide on Saturday night, and she delivered. She crossed the finish line, skidded to a stop and hopped off her sled in celebration.
Italy's Verena Hofer was second, 0.105 seconds back, and Park City native Ashley Farquharson rallied from 10th at the midway point to third, 0.109 seconds back of Britcher.
“The only thing better than getting a podium is sharing the podium with a teammate,” Britcher said.
In the men's singles race — also the two-run, two-day format in a break from the norm — Austria’s Jonas Mueller held onto his overnight lead by posting the fastest run once again and easing to a win over Germany’s Max Langenhan.
Italy took third and fourth, with Leon Felderer grabbing bronze and Dominik Fischnaller finding speed at the end of his run to edge Jonny Gustafson of the U.S. out of the fourth-place spot.
Italy won the team relay, with Austria second and the U.S. — with Britcher getting her second medal of the night — placing third.
Johannes Lochner keeps finding ways to beat Francesco Friedrich.
The German stars were first and second again in a World Cup bobsled race on Saturday, with Lochner driving to the win in a four-man event at Lillehammer, Norway, and Friedrich losing some time in the second and final run to settle for the silver.
It was the ninth consecutive World Cup race, going back to last season and including two-man events, in which Lochner and Friedrich finished first and second in some order.
Lochner now has beaten Friedrich — generally considered the best driver ever, someone who swept the two- and four-man golds at each of the last two Olympics, as well as each of the last two world championships — in four of five World Cup races this season and seven out of the last eight going back to last season.
Adam Ammour drove to third in the four-man race, giving Germany a sweep of the medals in that event. Kris Horn drove to 15th place for the top American finish.
In the women's monobob race earlier Saturday, Bree Walker of Australia got her fourth career World Cup win — and her third in Lillehammer. She had the best time in both heats to hold off Katrin Beierl of Austria, who finished second for her first World Cup monobob medal, and Laura Nolte of Germany was third.
Kaillie Humphries Armbruster had the top U.S. finish, placing seventh.
Bobsled: World Cup weekend in Lillehammer continues Sunday.
Skeleton: World Cup sliding continues Dec. 19 in Sigulda, Latvia.
Luge: World Cup sliding continues Dec. 19 in Lake Placid, New York.
AP Olympics: https://apnews.com/hub/milan-cortina-2026-winter-olympics
FILE - Summer Britcher of the United States waves after the women's sprint race at the Luge World Cup in Igls near Innsbruck, Austria, Dec. 7, 2024. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)
Johannes Lochner, Thorsten Margis, Joern Wenzel and Georg Fleischhauer, of Germany, compete in the 4-man bobsleigh race at the Bobsleigh World Cup in Innsbruck, Austria, Sunday, Nov. 30, 2025. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader)
