Stoke Space Raises $260M for Fully Reusable Rocket Nova
Stoke Space, an American aerospace company, has secured $260 million to develop Nova, a fully reusable medium-class rocket. This ambitious project focuses on creating a rocket with both reusable stages, marking a significant step forward in space transportation technology. The funds will also support the renovation of Launch Complex 14 at Cape Canaveral, which will serve as the rocket’s launch site.
Innovative Technology Behind Nova
Nova’s first stage will land vertically, similar to SpaceX’s Falcon 9, but the real innovation lies in its second stage. Stoke engineers have redesigned the second stage to include 30 small maneuvering engines instead of a single engine with fragile nozzles. These engines will operate in unison in space and switch on alternately during landing, providing unprecedented precision and reliability.
Additionally, Nova’s second stage features an innovative cooling system. Instead of traditional heat-resistant tiles or ceramics, the rocket’s metallic shell incorporates regenerative cooling. The shell is interlaced with small channels that circulate a cooling liquid, effectively dissipating heat during re-entry and enabling safe reuse.
Stoke Space: Payload Capacity and Future Impact
Nova will be capable of delivering 3,000 kg of payload to low Earth orbit with full reusability. When only one stage is recovered, it can carry up to 7,000 kg. The rocket is also designed to retrieve payloads from orbit, further enhancing its versatility.
According to CEO Andy Lapsa, the rapid and reliable reuse of the second stage remains the final hurdle before space travel becomes as routine as other forms of transportation. “Overcoming this challenge will revolutionize the space economy, opening doors to unparalleled opportunities that benefit life on and beyond Earth,” he stated.
Progress and Future Goals
Stoke recently conducted successful vertical tests of its Zenith engine, which uses liquid methane and oxygen. Engineers plan one final modification to the engine block before declaring it flight-ready. Renovation of the Cape Canaveral launch site is also underway, with completion expected by year-end.
As the space industry evolves, Stoke Space’s Nova rocket has the potential to transform space access and redefine what’s possible in the realm of reusable rockets.
