Andy Lapsa, CEO and Co-Founder of Stoke Space, shares his insights into the company's groundbreaking efforts in developing 100% reusable rockets. He discusses the challenges small launch firms face and the innovative design of their Nova vehicle, emphasizing modular payload capabilities. Lapsa also reflects on SpaceX's dominance and the need for competition in the industry. The podcast highlights Stoke Space's collaborative culture and strategic choices that foster rapid testing and iteration, paving the way for a transformative future in aerospace.
Stokespace's innovative approach to rocket design emphasizes fully reusable vehicles, tackling the largely ignored area of upper stage reusability.
The company's commitment to rapid iteration and objective-driven testing aims to create reliable rocket systems through practical insights gained from each test.
By targeting a five-ton payload capacity for medium-class rockets, Stokespace aims to enhance launch frequency and flexibility in the evolving space economy.
Deep dives
Innovative Launch Vehicle Design
Stokespace is developing a fully reusable launch vehicle that employs a unique design methodology. The vehicle features a regenerative heat shield and an innovative engine arrangement that creates an aerospike effect, which enhances performance during launch and re-entry. By starting with the upper stage of the rocket, the company addresses the largely unexplored area of upper stage reusability in the industry, highlighting a fresh perspective on the challenges faced by existing players like SpaceX and Blue Origin. This forward-thinking design approach positions Stokespace to contribute significantly to the transition towards fully reusable space transportation.
Embracing a Proactive Testing Culture
Testing plays a crucial role in Stokespace's development process, with a focus on intentionality and clear objectives for each test conducted. With rapid iteration being a priority, the company is committed to closely coupling design, manufacturing, and testing to ensure quick turnarounds and timely improvements. The emphasis on practical testing aims to create reliable vehicles by learning from each stage of the development. This approach not only fosters innovation but is critical to building the robust designs necessary for operational success.
Addressing the Space Economy and Market Demand
Stokespace envisions a more dynamic space economy, recognizing the need for seamless mobility to, through, and from space. The current limitations in supply chains for launching payloads, coupled with the historical focus on deploying larger payloads on fewer flights, led to inefficiencies. By targeting a payload capacity of around five tons to low Earth orbit, the company seeks to fill the gap in the medium-class rocket sector, allowing for more frequent and flexible launches. This strategy is aimed at enabling rapid deployments that cater to the evolving needs of satellite constellations and other commercial activities in space.
Leveraging Historical Insights for Modern Solutions
Stokespace’s design philosophy hinges on understanding the historical context of space travel and building upon decades of engineering knowledge. By analyzing the failures of traditional thermal protection systems, such as brittle ceramic tiles, the company is pioneering a novel actively cooled metallic heat shield that promises enhanced reliability and reduced maintenance costs. This focus on established engineering practices, rather than relying on untested science, ensures that the company addresses the essential challenges facing modern space vehicles. The commitment to practical solutions reflects the intent to create robust systems capable of supporting the ambitious objectives of the new space economy.
The Importance of Competitive Pressure in Space Exploration
Stokespace recognizes the need for diverse players in the commercial space sector to foster healthy competition and drive innovation. With SpaceX currently dominating the launch market, there is a pressing appeal for alternative providers to emerge in order to meet growing demand and reduce launch costs. The industry faces challenges, including supply constraints that directly affect the deployment of satellite constellations, highlighting the importance of introducing more competitive launch options. By remaining focused on full reusability and efficient operations, Stokespace positions itself as a potential key player in breaking SpaceX’s hold on the market.
Andy Lapsa, Co-Founder and CEO of Stoke Space, joins me to talk about the company, their vision for the future, their approach to launch, the larger trends that are shaping the market, and how that all might come together in the next few years.
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