iRocket
New York-based reusable launch vehicle and propulsion startup, developing the Shockwave small launch vehicle; diversifying into Army rocket-motor prototyping.
iRocket is a New York City-based aerospace startup founded in 2018 by CEO Asad Malik, developing reusable liquid oxygen/methane rocket propulsion and the 'Shockwave' small launch vehicle, a fully reusable rocket using 3D-printed engines designed to carry up to 1,500 kg to low Earth orbit; the company has not yet flown a vehicle to orbit. iRocket is backed by Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, and Eric Schmidt (via Village Global) and announced a $400 million SPAC merger with Wilbur Ross's BPGC in mid-2025, with the combined entity expected to list on Nasdaq. Prior government work includes a 2021 Space Act Agreement with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to accelerate reusable rocket engine development and a June 2023 U.S. Space Force contract to demonstrate a reusable rocket engine for small launch vehicles. In August 2026, iRocket was one of four companies (with Firehawk, Nammo Perry, and Albers) awarded an individual U.S. Army Other Transaction Authority prototype agreement via the One Nation Innovation marketplace to help diversify Hydra-70 tactical rocket production -- a notable extension of its core orbital-launch-vehicle business into tactical rocket motors.
Overview
- Headquarters
- New York, NY
- Founded
- 2018
- Employees
- Undisclosed
- Total funding
- Stage
- Pre-SPAC (announced $400M SPAC merger with BPGC, targeting Nasdaq listing)
- Status
- active
- Domains
- Reusable launch vehicles, Rocket propulsion, Munitions manufacturing
- Website
- irocketusa.com
Cap table0
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Programs0
No linked records yet.
Frequently asked
- What does iRocket do?
- iRocket is a New York City-based aerospace startup founded in 2018 by CEO Asad Malik, developing reusable liquid oxygen/methane rocket propulsion and the 'Shockwave' small launch vehicle, a fully reusable rocket using 3D-printed engines designed to carry up to 1,500 kg to low Earth orbit; the company has not yet flown a vehicle to orbit. iRocket is backed by Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, and Eric Schmidt (via Village Global) and announced a $400 million SPAC merger with Wilbur Ross's BPGC in mid-2025, with the combined entity expected to list on Nasdaq. Prior government work includes a 2021 Space Act Agreement with NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center to accelerate reusable rocket engine development and a June 2023 U.S. Space Force contract to demonstrate a reusable rocket engine for small launch vehicles. In August 2026, iRocket was one of four companies (with Firehawk, Nammo Perry, and Albers) awarded an individual U.S. Army Other Transaction Authority prototype agreement via the One Nation Innovation marketplace to help diversify Hydra-70 tactical rocket production -- a notable extension of its core orbital-launch-vehicle business into tactical rocket motors.
- Where is iRocket headquartered?
- iRocket is headquartered in New York, NY and was founded in 2018.
- What does iRocket specialize in?
- iRocket works across Reusable launch vehicles, Rocket propulsion, Munitions manufacturing.
- Does iRocket hold government contracts?
- Defense Tech Atlas links iRocket to 1 government contract.
Sources & citations2
Each claim links to its underlying source. Confidence reflects how directly the source supports the claim.
- 1
iRocket, NYC-based reusable launch vehicle startup founded 2018 by Asad Malik, backed by Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman, and Eric Schmidt; developing the Shockwave small launch vehicle; announced $400M SPAC merger with Wilbur Ross's BPGC targeting Nasdaq listing
Benzinga: Bill Gates, Reid Hoffman-Backed iRocket Will Go Public In $400M SPAC Deal With Wilbur Ross's FirmVerified2025-07-15 - 2
iRocket signed a Space Act Agreement with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center (2021) and won a U.S. Space Force contract (June 2023) to demonstrate a reusable rocket engine for small launch vehicles
SpaceNews: Startup iRocket signs agreement to develop and test hardware at U.S. Air Force facilityReported2026-08-15