Stoke Space Ignites The Future: Successful Engine Test Paves Way For Reusable Rocket

Stoke Space, a rising star in the commercial space industry, has successfully test-fired its new high-efficiency engine, marking a major milestone in the development of its fully reusable launch vehicle, Nova. Conducted on June 5th at a test site in Moses Lake, Washington, the brief firing demonstrated the engine's core functionalities.

The engine, designed to produce up to 100,000 pounds-force of thrust, underwent a two-second test where it reached 50% of its rated power. According to Andy Lapsa, Chief Executive Officer of Stoke Space, the primary goal of this initial test was to validate the engine's startup and shutdown sequences.

"The successful test is a huge win for our team," said Lapsa in a press release. "It signifies significant progress towards our goal of developing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly launch system."

This new engine utilizes a complex full-flow staged combustion design. In this innovative approach, both the fuel (liquefied natural gas) and oxidizer (liquid oxygen) are pre-burned in separate chambers before entering the main combustion chamber, resulting in greater efficiency and extended engine life. However, this design also presents significant technical hurdles during development.

Stoke Space's Nova rocket is designed to be entirely reusable, with both the first stage and upper stage returning to Earth for post-flight refurbishment. The first stage will be equipped with seven of these newly tested engines, while the upper stage employs a different engine technology optimized for higher performance.

"There are some commonalities between the engines for the booster and upper stage, particularly in the turbomachinery and analysis tools used," Lapsa revealed.

This successful test paves the way for a series of more extensive engine tests, gradually increasing the duration and thrust levels. Stoke Space also plans to conduct ground tests of the entire first stage with all seven engines firing simultaneously.

The growing demand for cost-effective and sustainable space access has fueled the rise of companies like Stoke Space. Their focus on reusability aligns perfectly with this trend, and the successful engine test signifies a significant step forward for Nova. With continued development, Stoke Space positions itself as a potential game-changer in the launch vehicle market, offering a reliable and environmentally friendly alternative for future space missions.