In a significant milestone for Washington state’s emerging space industry, Kent-based startup Stoke Space successfully completed a hotfire test of its first-stage rocket engine at their Moses Lake testing facility on Thursday. The test, which took place on a newly constructed vertical test stand, represents a major advancement for the four-year-old company.
The achievement is particularly noteworthy as Stoke Space becomes only the second organization globally, alongside SpaceX, to successfully develop and test a full-flow staged combustion (FFSC) engine. This sophisticated propulsion system, which runs on liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen, is capable of generating 100,000 pounds of thrust.
Tom Feldman, Chief Technology Officer and co-founder of Stoke Space, emphasized the significance of testing the FFSC engine in its flight-oriented vertical position. “This test marks the culmination of extensive collaborative efforts across multiple teams at Stoke, providing valuable insights for future development,” Feldman explained.
The company, established in 2019 by CEO Andy Lapsa and Feldman, both former Blue Origin engineers, aims to revolutionize space
transportation by developing fully reusable rockets and spacecraft designed for frequent launches comparable to aircraft operations. Lapsa shared his enthusiasm about the test on social media,
highlighting the clean burn achieved using all engine flows and praising the new test stand’s performance.
This latest accomplishment follows a series of successful developments for Stoke Space throughout 2023, including securing $100 million in funding and conducting a successful test of their “Hopper”
developmental rocket vehicle. The company’s testing philosophy emphasizes the importance of replicating flight conditions during development, making the vertical test stand a crucial component of their engineering process.
The test conducted Thursday featured the company’s Block 2 engine in its flight layout configuration, representing a crucial step toward their goal of creating reliable, reusable space vehicles. Dramatic photographs released by the company captured the intense engine burn during the test, showcasing the power and precision of their propulsion system.
Stoke Space’s vertical testing capability in Moses Lake adds another dimension to Washington state’s growing space technology sector. The facility allows the company to conduct critical engine tests in conditions that closely mirror actual flight operations, adhering to their “test like you fly” methodology.
The successful hotfire test demonstrates Stoke Space’s rapid progress in developing advanced rocket technology, particularly remarkable given the company’s relatively young age and the complexity of FFSC engine systems. This achievement positions them among a select group of companies pushing the boundaries of space launch technology.
This milestone comes as Andy Lapsa, Stoke’s CEO, is being recognized as one of five “Uncommon Thinkers” at the GeekWire Gala in Seattle, acknowledging his contributions to technological innovation and industry transformation. The award further highlights the company’s growing influence in the space technology sector.
As Stoke Space continues to advance its rocket development program, this successful engine test represents a crucial step toward their vision of creating spacecraft capable of regular, reliable operations. The company’s progress in developing sophisticated propulsion systems and testing infrastructure positions them as an increasingly significant player in the commercial space industry.