Stoke Space recently achieved a significant milestone by completing the first successful hot-fire test of their full-flow, staged-combustion (FFSC) rocket engine. Conducted on June 5, 2024, at their test site in Moses Lake, Washington, this engine is set to power the first stage of their fully reusable Nova medium-lift launch vehicle.

The test demonstrated the engine’s ability to ramp up to its target starting power level, producing the equivalent of 350,000 horsepower in less than one second. This FFSC engine, known for its high efficiency and performance, is designed to generate over 100,000 pounds of thrust at full power.

Stoke Space plans to continue refining the engine and vehicle design throughout 2024, with a targeted orbital test flight in 2025. This achievement follows their successful vertical takeoff and landing test of the second stage in September 2023, indicating rapid progress in their mission to create fully reusable rockets.