Re:Stoke Space: 100% reusable rockets
by sam_goody on Saturday May 18, 2024 @05:35PM
(#40402303)
This is the first I am hearing of this company, but their site leaves me with more questions than answers.
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)
Re:Stoke Space: 100% reusable rockets
by icegreentea2 on Saturday May 18, 2024 @06:06PM
(#40402513)
There's nothing too remarkable about the first stage.
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.
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.
Re:Stoke Space: 100% reusable rockets
by beAbU on Saturday May 18, 2024 @07:09PM
(#40402830)
I'm always wary of 100% anything in marketing claims.
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%?
Re:Stoke Space: 100% reusable rockets
by panick21_ on Saturday May 18, 2024 @09:34PM
(#40403454)
Quite simple. Stoke space is building a reusable second stage. Falcon 9 does not have a reusable second stage. First stage are like 80% of the structure.
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.
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).