The engine uses a design called full-flow staged combustion, where both the engine’s fuel and oxidizer — liquified natural gas and liquid oxygen, respectively — go through separate preburners before going into the main combustion chamber.
Stoke Space test-fires new booster engine
https://spacenews.com/stoke-space-test-fires-new-booster-engine/
7 Comments
toast@retrolemmy.com · 7 pts · 2y
Full-flow staged combustion is what the SpaceX Raptor uses. While also intending to reuse both first and second stages (again, like SpaceX), they are taking a very different approach to second stage propulsion and reentry
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works · 4 pts · 2y
Interestingly, Nova's actively cooled heat shield design bears some resemblance to one of the early Starship designs, though I think SpaceX was planning to "sweat" methane rather than recirculate hydrogen.
llamacoffee@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 2y
I am so hyped to follow Stoke's development. They may just be the competition we need! Them and perhaps some Chinese companies?
I am team space, and cheap access to orbit is what makes more space stuff possible. The teams working towards that future get me very excited! I don't think organizations not looking seriously at reusability are going to survive.
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works · 3 pts · 2y
If SpaceX were the only company pursuing reusability, ULA could probably limp along on national security contracts. However, as soon as a second company cracks reusability, the playing field changes drastically. Looking forward to seeing which company that will be!
toast@retrolemmy.com · 3 pts · 2y
Agreed. With so many companies still looking like they are trying to catch up to Falcon, it is great to see at least a few looking to build what comes next
Jumuta@sh.itjust.works · 0 pts · 2y
how
toast@retrolemmy.com · 1 pts · 2y
How is their second stage different, I guess you are asking?
They will use a 30 (I believe) nozzle engine that works like an aerospike and is steered but not gimbaled (they throttle chambers/nozzles instead), cool the exterior with the fuel, and use a traditional capsule shape overall. Might just work