Stoke Space successfully tests second-stage rocket

MOSES LAKE — Stoke Space announced a successful test flight of its vertical takeoff and vertical landing reusable second-stage rocket on Sept. 17.

“This test was the last test in our Hopper technology demonstration program. We successfully completed all of the planned objectives. We’ve also proven that our novel approach to robust and rapidly reusable space vehicles is technically sound, and we’ve obtained an incredible amount of data that will enable us to confidently evolve the vehicle design from a technology demonstrator to a reliable reusable space vehicle,” the company’s statement said.

The reusable rocket, also known as Hopper2, was able to launch to an altitude of 30 feet and land in its planned landing zone following 15 seconds of flight, the announcement said. The test also showed that the hydrogen/oxygen engine, regeneratively cooled heat shield and differential throttle thrust vector control system worked, as did the company’s avionics, software and ground systems.

While the vehicle did not undergo the stresses of hypersonic reentry, the company said the test criteria for the cooling system met 100% of the expected heat load in a simulated environment. Further success came for the company in that Stoke said it is the fastest developer to go from initial seed funding to demonstrating an orbital-class VTVL rocket. The company’s development team has made Stoke Space the second company in the world to fly a prototype stage two fully reusable rocket and the third U.S. company to develop a liquid hydrogen rocket engine.

“With our innovative second stage design, our team at Stoke is attempting to do something that has never been done before: design and build a rocket that is 100% reusable with a 24-hour turnaround,” the announcement said. “To reach that goal, we will now continue moving through our development program by increasing focus on our reusable first stage.”

To find out more about Stoke Space, visit stokespace.com.