Inside The Startup Building Reusable Rockets

Quick Overview

Stoke Space is developing fully reusable rockets, specifically the Nova launch vehicle, aiming to drastically reduce launch costs and increase access to space by making the entire rocket, including the second stage/capsule, recoverable and reusable, a concept they believe is crucial for scaling the space economy.

Key Points: Stoke Space aims to build fully reusable rockets, including the second stage (Andromeda capsule), to significantly lower launch costs and increase space access. The company's co-founders, Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman, started Stoke Space in September 2019 after working as jet propulsion engineers at Blue Origin. Stoke's core strategy is to reuse both the first stage (Nova) and the second stage (Andromeda), unlike competitors who typically only reuse the first stage. The Andromeda capsule is designed to survive re-entry using a novel heat shield cooled by flowing cold liquid hydrogen through a heat exchanger. The company recently raised $510 million in Series D funding (as of October 8, 2025), doubling their total capital raised to $990 million. Stoke is building its 168,000 square foot factory and test facilities in Moses Lake, Washington, and is planning its first orbital launch later in 2025. The founders emphasized that having in-house manufacturing capabilities (like 3D printing and machining) allows for faster iteration cycles, which is critical for complex hardware development.

Context: Stoke Space is a startup focused on achieving rapid and complete reusability for orbital rockets, contrasting with the industry standard where only the first stage is typically recovered. The company was founded in 2019 by former Blue Origin engineers Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman, who left their secure jobs because they believed in the necessity of full reusability for the future of space travel. The video showcases their development process, including engine testing at their remote facility in Moses Lake, Washington, and the manufacturing of their vehicle components.