Rook
[research]aerial · drones · 0 deployments in catalog
Manufacturer
Hop AeroForm Factor
aerial
Lifecycle
research
Operational Reality
Audited
Deployments
0
Target Price
Custom Quote
- AERIAL
- RESEARCH
Description
Rook is an autonomous hypersonic cargo rocket that delivers 250 kg (550 lbs) of payload up to 750 km (450 miles) in approximately 15 minutes. It launches from a standard 40-foot shipping container and lands on unprepared surfaces, requiring no runways or fixed infrastructure. The vehicle flies point-to-point at hypersonic speeds through space, re-entering the atmosphere to deliver cargo to austere locations. Completed tethered flight testing of a small-scale prototype and successful engine hot-fire testing.
Key facts & specs
- website
- https://www.ycombinator.com/companies/hop-aero
- maturity
- research
- lifecycle
- active
- form factor
- aerial
- manufacturer
- Hop Aero
- Maturity stage
- research
- Range
- 750 km (450 miles)
- Landing
- Unprepared surfaces, no runway required
- Payload
- 250 kg (550 lbs)
- Flight time
- ~15 minutes
- Speed class
- hypersonic
- Launch method
- Standard 40-foot shipping container
- Launch
- Standard 40-foot shipping container
- Autonomy
- Fully autonomous
- Example route
- Okinawa to Taiwan in 15 minutes
- Test status
- Tethered flight test + engine hot-fire completed
Safety record
No incidents on record for Rook.
FAQ
What is Rook?
Rook is an autonomous hypersonic cargo rocket that delivers 250 kg (550 lbs) of payload up to 750 km (450 miles) in approximately 15 minutes. It launches from a standard 40-foot shipping container and lands on unprepared surfaces, requiring no runways or fixed infrastructure. The vehicle flies point-to-point at hypersonic speeds through space, re-entering the atmosphere to deliver cargo to austere locations. Completed tethered flight testing of a small-scale prototype and successful engine hot-fire testing.
Is Rook actually deployed in the real world?
Rook is at the research stage: it exists, but DEPLOY has no verified real-world deployment on record. Manufacturer capability claims should be read as claims pending independent verification.
What are the specs of Rook?
Rook's recorded specifications on the DEPLOY registry: Range: 750 km (450 miles); Payload: 250 kg (550 lbs); Flight time: ~15 minutes. See the Specs section for the full sourced set.
Who makes Rook?
Rook is made by Hop Aero, based in Los Angeles, CA, USA, founded in 2024.
Can you buy Rook?
Rook is at research stage and is not yet available for sale.
What are alternatives to Rook?
On the DEPLOY registry, comparable aerial robots to Rook include Wing Delivery Aircraft, Skydio X10, Zipline Platform 2 (P2), Prime Air MK30.
How does Rook compare to Wing Delivery Aircraft?
Rook and Wing Delivery Aircraft (Wing · 35 deployments) are both aerial robots on the DEPLOY registry. Rook has 0 verified deployments on record. Compare both records for specs, safety, deployments, and verified-vs-claimed autonomy.
Is Rook a top aerial?
On DEPLOY's intelligence score, which blends verified deployments, safety, adoption, media, and IP signals, Rook ranks in roughly the top 11% of aerial models tracked by the registry.
What is Rook's maturity stage?
Rook is at the research stage on the DEPLOY maturity ladder (research, prototype, pilot, commercial, production). Research stage means active development without commercial deployments on file.
Where is Rook deployed?
No verified deployments of Rook are currently on the DEPLOY registry. DEPLOY records deployments only when verified at a named site with a primary source; absence may reflect pre-deployment, research, or manufacturer-internal use.
Is Rook safe?
Rook has no incidents on record in the DEPLOY registry. This does not constitute a safety guarantee; it reflects the incidents DEPLOY has tracked and verified to date.