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Stoke Space test-fires new booster engine (spacenews.com)

submitted 5 months ago by toast@retrolemmy.com to c/spaceflight@sh.itjust.works

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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.

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[–] toast@retrolemmy.com 7 points 5 months ago (1 children)

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 points 5 months ago

they are taking a very different approach to second stage propulsion and reentry

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 points 5 months ago (2 children)

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.

[–] toast@retrolemmy.com 3 points 5 months ago

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

[–] threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works 3 points 5 months ago

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!

[–] Jumuta@sh.itjust.works 0 points 5 months ago (1 children)

how

[–] toast@retrolemmy.com 1 points 5 months ago

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