Overview
Stoke Space Technologies is an American space launch company founded in 2019, based in Kent, Washington. The company is developing a fully reusable medium-lift launch vehicle called Nova, aiming to revolutionize space access through innovative rocket design and rapid reusability. Key aspects of Stoke Space Technologies include:
- Founding and Team: Established by former Blue Origin and SpaceX employees, with Andy Lapsa serving as CEO and co-founder.
- Funding: Secured substantial investments totaling $176.27 million, including grants and venture capital funding rounds.
- Technology: Developing the Nova rocket, a two-stage vertical takeoff and vertical landing (VTOVL) vehicle:
- First Stage: Uses liquid methane fuel and full flow staged combustion cycle engines.
- Second Stage: Powered by a hydrolox engine with 30 thrust chambers and a regeneratively cooled heat shield.
- Facilities: Operates a 168,000 square foot assembly facility in Kent, Washington, and a 75-acre rocket test facility near Moses Lake.
- Testing and Development: Conducted successful tests including static fires, a Wet Dress Rehearsal, and a 10-meter 'hop' test of the second stage prototype.
- Future Plans: Targeting an orbital test flight for the Nova rocket, with plans to use Launch Complex 14 in Florida and participation in the Space Force's Orbital Services Program.
- Innovations: Utilizes stainless steel for rocket structure and implements a center passive bleed in the second stage for improved efficiency. Stoke Space aims to achieve full and rapid reusability with the Nova rocket, which is expected to have a payload capacity of 5 tons to low Earth orbit (LEO). The company's focus on innovation and reusability positions it as a potential disruptor in the space launch industry.
Leadership Team
Stoke Space Technologies boasts a leadership team with diverse expertise and experience in the aerospace industry:
- Andy Lapsa - CEO and Co-Founder
- Driving force behind the company's vision of fully and rapidly reusable rockets
- Instrumental in securing funding and guiding technological development
- Former Blue Origin employee with extensive experience in the space industry
- Paul Croci - Chief Financial Officer
- Joined in April 2024
- Over 20 years of experience in aerospace and defense financial transactions
- Background includes roles at Wells Fargo, Honeywell, and investment banking
- Former U.S. Navy Nuclear Submarine Officer
- Retired Lt. Gen. John E. Shaw - Board of Directors
- Appointed in April 2024
- More than 30 years of experience in national security space and aerospace engineering
- Former deputy commander of U.S. Space Command and commander of Space Operations Command
- Brings expertise in national security space and advocacy for advanced space capabilities
- Other Leadership Team Members
- Includes co-founders and executives with backgrounds from Blue Origin and SpaceX
- Expertise spans technology, business development, and operations
- Focused on enhancing efficiency, fostering partnerships, and driving the company's mission The diverse backgrounds and extensive experience of Stoke Space's leadership team contribute significantly to the company's innovative approach and ambitious goals in the space launch industry. Their combined expertise in aerospace engineering, financial management, and national security space operations positions the company to tackle the complex challenges of developing next-generation reusable rocket technology.
History
Stoke Space Technologies, founded in 2019, has rapidly evolved in the competitive space launch industry. Key milestones in the company's history include:
- Founding (2019)
- Established by Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman, former Blue Origin employees
- Aimed to develop fully reusable rocket technology
- Early Funding and Development (2020-2021)
- May 2020: Received $225,000 SBIR Phase I grant from National Science Foundation
- February 2021: Raised $9.1 million in seed funding
- December 2021: Secured $65 million in Series A funding
- Technological Advancements (2022-2023)
- 2022: Created and tested second stage engine ring prototype
- Early 2023: Completed Hopper1, a full-scale second stage prototype
- March 18, 2023: Conducted Wet Dress Rehearsal for the second stage
- September 17, 2023: Successful 10-meter 'hop' test of Hopper2
- Expansion and Further Funding (2023-Present)
- October 2023: Announced $100 million Series B funding round
- Total funding reached $175 million
- Focused on first-stage rocket engine development and Launch Complex 14 upgrades
- Facilities and Operations
- Established a 75-acre rocket test facility near Moses Lake, Washington
- Operates a 168,000 square foot assembly facility in Kent, Washington
- Launch Vehicle Development
- Developing Nova, a fully reusable medium-lift launch vehicle
- Two-stage design with 5-ton payload capacity to LEO
- Innovative features include RTLS landing for first stage and regeneratively cooled heat shield for second stage
- Future Outlook
- Targeting first orbital test flight in 2025
- Aiming for 'aircraft-like' launch frequency
- Focused on fully reusable launch system for various space transportation needs Stoke Space's rapid progress, driven by substantial funding and an experienced team, has positioned the company as a potential disruptor in the space launch market. Their focus on full reusability and innovative design approaches sets the stage for potentially significant advancements in space access technology.
Products & Solutions
Stoke Space, an American space launch company, is revolutionizing the space industry with innovative products and solutions.
Nova Rocket
The flagship product is Nova, a fully reusable medium-lift launch vehicle:
- Reusability: 100% reusable, with both stages returning to the launch site
- Payload Capacity: 5 tons (5,000 kg) to low Earth orbit (LEO)
- Engines: First stage uses 7 full-flow staged combustion methalox engines; second stage uses a hydrolox engine with 30 thrust chambers and a regeneratively cooled heatshield
- Efficiency: Second stage incorporates a center passive bleed for improved efficiency
Fusion by Stoke Space
Fusion is a software tool designed to enhance engineering productivity and hardware development:
- Unified Process Ownership: Empowers process owners to configure software directly
- Real-Time Traceability: Provides continuous tracking of all hardware project aspects
- Continuous Release Processes: Supports high-cadence teams with incremental design and release processes
- Visualization and Self-Organization: Helps teams visualize dependencies and work items
Advanced Technologies
Stoke Space is developing cutting-edge technologies:
- Actively Cooled Metallic Reentry Heat Shield: Integrated into the upper-stage engine for rapid reuse
- Full-Flow Staged Combustion Engine (Zenith): Successfully developed and tested, one of the most efficient rocket engines
Facilities and Operations
- Rocket Test Facility: 75-acre site near Moses Lake's airport for engine testing and development
- Assembly and Headquarters: 168,000 square foot facility in Kent, Washington Stoke Space's focus on reusable launch solutions and advanced engineering tools positions it at the forefront of space technology innovation.
Core Technology
Stoke Space is pioneering innovative rocket technology, focusing on fully reusable medium-lift rockets. Key aspects of their core technology include:
Reusable Rocket Technology
- Developing Nova, the world's first 100% reusable medium-lift rocket
- Aims to significantly reduce space access costs through multiple launches and recoveries
Engine Technology
- Zenith Engine: Successfully test-fired first-stage engine using full-flow staged combustion
- Hopper Engine: Second-stage engine under development, designed for reusability
Reentry Heat Shield
- Pioneered the world's first actively cooled metallic reentry heat shield
- Integrated into the high-efficiency upper-stage engine for rapid reuse
Launch and Recovery
- Designed for aircraft-like frequency of operations
- Advanced navigation systems and robust landing mechanisms for safe, efficient operations
Cost Efficiency
- Reusing key components to reduce overall launch expenses
- Making space access more affordable and accessible
Facilities and Infrastructure
- Utilizing $260 million Series C funding to enhance facilities
- Completing construction at Launch Complex 14, Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
- Enhancing private test facility and manufacturing headquarters Stoke Space's core technology revolves around developing highly efficient, fully reusable rockets to transform the economics and operational efficiency of space transportation.
Industry Peers
Stoke Space operates in the reusable rocket and space technology industry. Key competitors and peers include:
Major Players
- SpaceX: Founded by Elon Musk, known for successful launches and landings of reusable rockets
- Blue Origin: Founded by Jeff Bezos, focuses on suborbital and orbital space tourism
- Rocket Lab: Recognized for its Electron rocket and developing reusable rocket technology
Other Competitors
- Astron Systems, Pipeline2Space, and bluShift Aerospace: Competing in various space technology sectors
- ABL Space Systems, Aevum, Astra, Firefly Aerospace, Northrop Grumman, Relativity Space, United Launch Alliance, and X-Bow: Eligible to bid on Orbital Services Program-4 (OSP-4) contract launch task orders These companies are involved in various aspects of space technology, including:
- Launch services
- Reusable rockets
- Satellite deployments
- Space tourism
- Aerospace technologies The competitive landscape highlights the growing interest and investment in reusable rocket technology and space exploration, with each company bringing unique innovations to the industry.