Imagine rockets being built right here in Kent Washington. This is Stoke Space. It is an American space launch company. Stoke Space is not just another company. It represents a bold vision for the future of space travel.
Stoke Space was founded in 2020. Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman are the founders. They started with a clear goal. That goal was to create fully reusable rockets.
The founders are former Blue Origin and SpaceX employees. Their experience fueled their ambition. They wanted to revolutionize space access.
In May 2020 Stoke Space received a boost. The National Science Foundation awarded them a $225000 grant. This SBIR Phase I grant supported their work. It helped them develop an integrated propulsion solution. This was for reusable rocket upper stages.
Stoke Space gained further momentum in February 2021. They raised $9.1 million in seed funding. NFX Guild and MaC Venture Capital led this round.
December 2021 marked another milestone. Stoke Space raised $65 million in a Series A round. Breakthrough Energy Ventures led this funding. This investment supported the development. It also aided testing of a reusable launch vehicle’s upper stage.
In 2022 Stoke Space made significant progress. The company created a prototype of their second stage engine ring. This prototype underwent at least 22 static fires.
Stoke Space’s CEO Andy Lapsa shared their vision in 2023. He revealed plans for a fully and rapidly reusable orbital rocket. He did this in an interview with Tim Dodd. Tim Dodd is also known as The Everyday Astronaut.
The company completed construction of Hopper1 in early 2023. Hopper1 is a full-scale second stage prototype. It was designed to test fluid mechanics.
Stoke Space secured a future launch pad on March 8 2023. They were given LC-14 in Florida.
On March 18 2023 Stoke Space conducted a Wet Dress Rehearsal. They loaded Liquid Oxygen and Liquid Hydrogen. This prepared it for launch. The engines were not ignited.
Stoke Space tested their unique steering method on September 17 2023. Hopper2 performed a 10-meter hop test. The vehicle ignited its 15 thrust chambers. It lifted 30 feet off the ground. It demonstrated its ability to steer. It landed successfully using three landing struts.
Stoke Space announced a $100 million Series B funding round in October 2023. Industrious Ventures led this round.
Assembly of a first stage engine was completed in April 2024. The company announced that it was ready for test firing.
Significant construction progress was announced in May 2024. This was for their engine test firing stand.
Stoke Space achieved a breakthrough in June 2024. They reported the first successful hot fire of their engine. It is named Zenith. It is a Full Flow Staged Combustion Engine.
Stoke Space operates several facilities. One is a rocket test facility near Moses Lake’s airport. It covers 75 acres. Another is an assembly facility in Kent Washington. It serves as their headquarters and planned mission control. It is 168000 square feet.
Nova is Stoke Space’s fully reusable launch vehicle. It is a medium-lift vehicle. It can carry 5 tons to low Earth orbit. The first stage will perform a return-to-launch-site landing. The second stage will use a hydrolox engine. This eliminates the need for thermal tiles.
Stoke Space is an innovative company. They are dedicated to transforming space access. They have achieved significant milestones. They are poised to shape the future of space exploration. Their commitment to full reusability sets them apart.