This Is The Holy Grail Of Rocket Science

Stoke Space: Building Fully & Rapidly Reusable Rockets

Key Concepts:

• Full Reusability: The core concept of Stoke Space – recovering and reusing all stages of a rocket, not just the first stage.
• Rapid Reusability: The ability to quickly turn around a rocket for subsequent flights, minimizing downtime and maximizing flight frequency.
• Nova: Stoke Space’s two-stage-to-orbit rocket.
• Andromeda: Nova’s second stage capsule, designed for full reusability and surviving extreme re-entry conditions.
• Bolt Line: Stoke Space’s internally developed software platform for managing all aspects of rocket manufacturing, testing, and operations.
• GNC: Guidance, Navigation, and Control – the system responsible for directing the rocket during flight.

I. The Vision: Revolutionizing Space Access

Stoke Space aims to achieve “full and rapid reusability” in rocketry, a goal considered the “holy grail” of the industry. Currently, only the first stage of rockets is routinely reused. Stoke’s ambition extends to recovering and reusing the entire rocket, including the second stage (Andromeda capsule), which faces the immense challenge of surviving a 17,000 mph re-entry, reaching temperatures exceeding 2700°F. This capability is projected to dramatically lower the cost of space access, increase availability, and improve reliability, potentially unlocking a new era of space-based applications. Andy Lapsa, a co-founder, likened this potential to the “iPhone app store moment,” anticipating a surge of innovative ideas enabled by readily available and affordable space access. Currently, with only around 150 commercial launches annually, and a significant portion dedicated to Starlink, availability is limited and costs are high.

II. Hardware Architecture: Nova & Andromeda

Stoke Space’s vehicle architecture centers around two rockets: Nova and Andromeda.

• Nova (First Stage): Functions similarly to conventional rockets, providing initial thrust to escape Earth’s atmosphere. It’s designed for rapid reusability, landing either downrange or back at the launch site. A key feature is its highly fuel-efficient rocket engine, a significant technical achievement for a relatively small company.
• Andromeda (Second Stage): This capsule is designed to reach orbit, deliver its payload, and then survive re-entry. The critical innovation is a custom heat shield utilizing cold liquid hydrogen flowing through a heat exchanger to absorb the extreme heat generated during re-entry. 24 small thrusters then assist in controlled deceleration and landing.

The founders emphasize that focusing on reusability from the outset is crucial for cost reduction and increased reliability. They contrast this with approaches that attempt to retrofit reusability onto existing designs.

III. From Backyard Testing to a Growing Company

The company’s origin story began with Andy Lapsa and Tom Benson testing rocket engines in Tom’s backyard in 2019, after both worked as jet propulsion engineers at Blue Origin. They initially lacked a clear business plan, but recognized a gap in the market: no one was aggressively pursuing full rocket reusability.

The early days were characterized by significant risk. Both founders left secure jobs with young families, committing to a six-month timeframe to demonstrate traction. Initial funding was secured just before the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the investment landscape. Their first prototype engine was built and tested in a shipping container, demonstrating a proof-of-concept with a small, pressure-fed gaseous hydrogen liquid oxygen thruster.

IV. Scaling & Investment: The Role of Y Combinator & Bolt Line

Securing funding proved more challenging than anticipated. The founders underestimated the difficulty and relied on organic networking. Acceptance into Y Combinator (YC) proved pivotal, providing access to a valuable network and guidance on fundraising. To date, Stoke Space has raised approximately $990 million.

A key element of Stoke’s scaling strategy is their internally developed software platform, “Bolt Line.” This system manages all aspects of the company’s operations, from manufacturing and testing to data analysis and preventative maintenance. Bolt Line is designed to bridge the gap between small-scale prototyping and large-scale production, enabling rapid iteration and efficient operations. The software facilitates a closed-loop system where data from flight tests informs design improvements, which are then rapidly implemented through in-house manufacturing.

V. Manufacturing & Testing Capabilities

Stoke Space has established a 168,000 sq ft factory in Kent, Washington, capable of producing approximately seven vehicles per year. The facility houses comprehensive capabilities, including:

• Engine Assembly: Complete assembly of both first and second stage engines.
• Additive Manufacturing: Utilizing 3D printing for component production.
• Structures Fabrication: Manufacturing of rocket structures.
• Avionics & Electronics: In-house development and assembly of avionics systems.
• Structural Testing: Testing structural integrity under cryogenic conditions at a facility in Moses Lake.
• Hardware-in-the-Loop Testing: Simulating flight missions with integrated avionics, flight computers, and GNC software.

VI. The Importance of Iteration & Software

The founders emphasize the importance of rapid iteration and a willingness to accept failure as integral to their development process. They aim for a cycle time of days, rather than months, for design changes and testing. This is enabled by their in-house manufacturing capabilities and the Bolt Line software platform. They highlight the shift from a traditional “build and ship” model to a continuous improvement cycle where data from each flight informs the next iteration.

VII. Future Outlook & Launch Plans

Stoke Space is currently focused on completing development and qualification of their engines and structures. They are building a launch site at historic Complex 14 in Cape Canaveral, Florida, the site of John Glenn’s historic orbit. Their first orbital launch is planned for later this year. The ultimate vision is to achieve daily flight frequency, transforming space access into a routine and affordable service. Andy Lapsa expressed a fundamental belief in the value of their endeavor, stating they “owe it to the world to try this idea.”