Following the successful demonstration of its rotating detonation rocket engine (RDRE), Venus claims it's seen unprecedented interest from various parties, so bringing in such an experienced professional like Elroy was a "no-brainer." RDRE technology was initially proposed in the 1950s. "It was one of those technologies that has always seemed elusive," Melroy told Space.com, adding that "it was the classic joke: 'it's always about 10 years away.'" Venus CEO Sassie Duggleby said bringing Melroy made a lot of sense. Melroy and Venus see the RDRE as ideally suited for future lunar, Mars, and deep space missions.