Stoke Space’s Initial Launch Plans Take Shape at Cape Canaveral

The Quest for Reusability

Stoke Space is a five-year-old launch startup that has been generating significant hype due to its bold plans to develop the first fully reusable rocket. This achievement would enable both the booster and second stage of the rocket to vertically return to Earth, revolutionizing the space industry. One year ago, Stoke received a major boost when the U.S. Space Force awarded the company valuable launch pad real estate at Florida’s Cape Canaveral Space Force Station.

Revamping Launch Complex 14

Stoke plans to redevelop the historic Launch Complex 14, which was home to John Glenn’s historic mission and other NASA programs. The company aims to complete this redevelopment in time for its first launch in 2025. At the center of Stoke’s plans is Nova, a two-stage rocket designed to return both stages vertically to Earth.

Unlocking Possibilities

The reusable upper stage of the Nova rocket would unlock incredible possibilities, such as returning cargo from orbit, landing anywhere on Earth, and driving down launch prices by an order of magnitude. However, before any of this can take place, the Space Force must complete its environmental assessment of Stoke’s plans at LC-14.

Environmental Assessment

The draft environmental assessment for Stoke’s launch pad shows that it would be an error to expect a test of returning even the booster on the first flight. Indeed, the environmental assessment does not consider reusable operations at all but only missions with the 132-foot-tall Nova flying in a fully expendable configuration.

Phased Program Approach

The document released last month calls this Stoke’s "phased program approach." Phase 1 involves operating a totally expendable vehicle at a relatively low launch cadence. Phase 2, which would require a supplemental environmental analysis and is not considered in this draft document, would involve the fully reusable rocket.

Authorization for Launches

To start, Stoke is seeking authorization to conduct around two launches next year — the first year of operation — and then told regulators that it anticipates a maximum launch cadence of 10 launches per year. Stoke informed the regulators that Nova will be capable of carrying up to 7,000 kilograms to low Earth orbit, the maximum payload capacity.

Development of Nova

At the heart of Stoke’s plans is the development of the Nova rocket. This two-stage rocket is designed to return both stages vertically to Earth, revolutionizing the space industry. The reusable upper stage would enable a range of applications, including returning cargo from orbit and landing anywhere on Earth.

Interview with Aria Alamalhodaei

We spoke with Aria Alamalhodaei, an expert in the space and defense industries, about Stoke’s ambitious plans. "Stoke’s development of the Nova rocket is a game-changer for the space industry," she said. "Their commitment to reusability will revolutionize the way we launch spacecraft and make it more efficient."

Topics

• Space
• Startups
• Stoke Space

About Aria Alamalhodaei

Aria Alamalhodaei is a reporter for TechCrunch, covering the space and defense industries. She previously covered public utilities and power grids for California Energy Markets and has also contributed to MIT’s Undark Magazine, The Verge, and Discover Magazine.

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