Inside The Startup Building Reusable Rockets

Full Title

Summary

Stokespace is developing fully and rapidly reusable rockets to significantly reduce the cost and increase the accessibility of space travel.

The company's innovation lies in its two-stage rocket design, particularly the re-entry capability of the second stage, which aims to overcome the limitations of current rocket technology.

Key Points

Stokespace aims for aircraft-like reusability for entire rockets, addressing the industry's reliance on disposable rocket stages, especially the expensive second stage.
The Nova rocket's design includes a reusable first stage with advanced engines and a unique Andromeda second stage capsule featuring a custom heat shield and thrusters for survivable re-entry.
Founders Andy and Tom, formerly of Blue Origin, left to pursue the problem of full rocket reusability, believing it was a critical unmet need in the space industry.
The decision to start Stokespace involved significant personal risk, including quitting secure jobs and facing financial uncertainty, particularly compounded by the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Early development involved testing prototype engines in a makeshift facility constructed in a shipping container in Tom's backyard, demonstrating a lean and hands-on approach.
Fundraising proved challenging due to the hardware-intensive nature of the business and the market's focus on SaaS, with Y Combinator providing crucial network access and fundraising guidance.
The company has raised approximately $990 million and operates with a focus on efficiency, developing a large factory and building its own software tools like "Boltline" to manage operations and iterate quickly.
Stokespace is in the final stages of preparing for its first orbital launch from a historic site at Cape Canaveral, while also conducting rigorous hardware-in-the-loop testing for avionics and software.
The company's success hinges on rapid iteration and the ability to manufacture most rocket components in-house, allowing for faster learning cycles from test failures.

Conclusion

Achieving full rocket reusability is essential for unlocking new possibilities and making the space economy more ubiquitous.

The company's success is attributed to a deep technical understanding, a focus on rapid iteration, and building critical infrastructure like their own software tools.

The founding conviction in the idea and the willingness to pursue it despite immense personal risk were fundamental to Stokespace's journey.