# Inside The Startup Building Reusable Rockets

Source: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2hgjgycOU_0
Recap page: https://rapidrecap.app/video/2hgjgycOU_0
Generated: 2026-01-08T16:01:06.441+00:00

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## 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.

![Screenshot at 00:01: A high-speed engine test firing, showcasing the intense orange and blue flames characteristic of their propulsion system testing at their remote facility, demonstrating early hardware validation.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2hgjgycOU_0/00-00-01.jpg)

**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.

## Detailed Analysis

Stoke Space is pursuing the ambitious goal of fully reusable rockets with their Nova launch vehicle, intending for both the first stage and the second stage, dubbed the Andromeda capsule, to be recoverable and reusable. Co-founders Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman started the company in 2019 after leaving their jobs as jet propulsion engineers at Blue Origin, driven by the conviction that full reusability is essential for drastically lowering costs and expanding space access. A key technological innovation highlighted is the Andromeda capsule's heat shield, which uses cold liquid hydrogen flowing through a heat exchanger to absorb the extreme heat of re-entry. The company has rapidly progressed, recently announcing a $510 million Series D funding round (as of October 2025), bringing their total capital raised to $990 million. They operate out of a 168,000 sq ft facility in Kent, Washington, and conduct hot-fire testing at a site near Moses Lake, Washington. The founders stress that maintaining in-house manufacturing capabilities for avionics and other complex parts is vital, enabling them to iterate quickly—reducing test cycles from months to days—which they view as crucial to overcoming the inherent risks of deep technical challenges in rocketry.

### Stoke's Mission

- Building fully reusable rockets (Nova launch vehicle)
- Reusing both Stage 1 and Stage 2 (Andromeda capsule)
- Aiming to reduce costs and improve access to space

### Founding Story

- Started in September 2019 by former Blue Origin jet propulsion engineers Andy Lapsa and Tom Feldman
- Left secure jobs due to strong conviction in full reusability

### Technology Focus

- Andromeda capsule uses a unique heat shield cooled by flowing cold liquid hydrogen through a heat exchanger to survive re-entry
- Engine development includes high-performance engines tested at their Moses Lake facility

### Company Operations and Funding

- Operations based in a 168,000 sq ft facility in Kent, Washington
- Raised $510 million in Series D funding (as of Oct 2025), bringing total capital to $990 million
- First orbital launch planned for later in 2025

### Development Philosophy

- Emphasis on vertical integration, handling hardware from design to deployment internally
- In-house manufacturing (avionics, structures) allows for rapid iteration cycles (days instead of months)
- Critical to survive the high-risk, long time horizon of deep technical work

![Screenshot at 00:01: A high-speed engine test firing, showcasing the intense orange and blue flames characteristic of their propulsion system testing at their remote facility.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2hgjgycOU_0/00-00-01.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:08: An animation illustrating the separation of the two rocket stages in space, with the second stage \(Andromeda capsule\) beginning its descent.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2hgjgycOU_0/00-00-08.jpg)
![Screenshot at 00:34: An overhead view inside the manufacturing facility showing a large, circular structure being worked on by technicians, likely a component of the vehicle structure or engine cluster.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2hgjgycOU_0/00-00-34.jpg)
![Screenshot at 01:04: An aerial shot of the Kent, Washington facility location at sunrise, with Mount Rainier visible in the distance.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2hgjgycOU_0/00-01-04.jpg)
![Screenshot at 02:28: A close-up animation of the Andromeda capsule re-entering the atmosphere, showing the heat shield glowing red from extreme heat absorption.](https://ss.rapidrecap.app/screens/2hgjgycOU_0/00-02-28.jpg)