Kent Company Pioneers Reusable Rocket Technology

Stoke Space, a Washington-based aerospace company, is developing fully reusable rockets aimed at revolutionizing space travel with aircraft-like schedules. The company, founded by former Blue Origin engineers, is working on a novel rocket design featuring a "ring-of-fire" engine for the second stage, which integrates a heat shield with thrusters to enable vertical descent. Stoke's approach promises significant cost savings and increased access to space, potentially facilitating commercial ventures like asteroid mining and space junk cleanup. The company plans its first expendable launch next year, with full reusability expected a year later.