Stoke Space: 100% reusable rockets
stokespace.com
stokespace.com
In what significant way will these rockets be more reusable than say a Falcon 9, that makes the Falcon 9 not 100% reusable? Put differently, what is a Falcon 9's reusability percentage, and wat difference does it make to bring that number up to 100%?
I ask because Stoke is reinventing 80% (the first stage) to reinvent 20% (the second).
Have they figured out a new way to do the landings? Have they found some new tech to get to terminal velocity? What is different about their launch technique than SpaceX, RocketLab or any of the others that have reusable rockets?
And while another $100M is cool and all that, I am not really sure just how much that helps if they are really coming up with something new.
Do any of the knowledgeable HN readers have a link to anything, or alternatively - can you identify this as someone who is just milking programs for money (Ias I have heard Howell is doing)
I am all exceited about
Their second stage is what they're selling themselves on. There's no currently operational re-usable second stage. Starship is supposed to become a reusable second stage. Rocketlab's Neutron (their new rocket in development) only has a re-useable first stage.
Their second stage uses an aerospike of sorts, letting their engine end also be their heat shield. This is different from what Starship is doing. Their heat shield is also cooled by propellant.
Everyday Astronaut has a writeup and video: https://everydayastronaut.com/stoke-space/
I think a lot of their viability comes down to how well their fuel cooling system works, and how broad of a range they can operate in. Every bit of fuel they need to carry for "cooling only" purposes (as opposed to also providing needed thrust) is $$$ lost.