This article is about the fully-reusable orbital rocket launch vehicle. For the Moon lander rocket platform, seeIntuitive Machines Nova-C. For the super-heavy-lift launch vehicle NASA studies from the 1960s, seeNova (NASA rocket).
Prior to the company's unveiling of the rocket's name, Nova, in October 2023,[12] Stoke Space noted various developments with the booster and second stage's design.
The rocket's booster will consist of seven Zenithfull-flow staged combustion cycle engines,[13] designed and manufactured by the company.[14] The rocket's second stage will measure 13 ft (4.0 m) in diameter and will stand at a height of 20 ft (6.1 m).[15] The second stage will have one Andromeda 2 engine, which will consist of a metallic heat shield and a "ring" of 24 thrusters.[3] The thrust chambers and nozzles are 3D-printed, with second-stage engines being fueled by cryogenic hydrogen.[16] The rocket, when fully stacked, will measure 4 meters in diameter and reach a height of approximately 40.2 meters.[8]
An engine designed to be implemented on Nova's booster underwent its first test in June 2024, 18 months after the start of its development, and is designed to produce over 100,000 lbf (440 kN) of thrust upon lift-off.[20] Hopper tests of Nova's reusable second stage were conducted in September 2023,[21] with an engine test being conducted in February 2024.[16] A proof-test of a shortened first stage test tank was conducted in December 2023.
Stoke Space said it plans to develop the rocket and reach orbit by 2025,[22] with some independent estimates projecting a timeframe of 2026.[23] On 28 July 2025, the company adjusted the target date to early 2026.[24]
Stoke Space says that Nova can be used for a variety of functions, including deploying satellites to space, performing manufacturing and science experiments in space, collecting and returning satellites, and removingspace debris.[16]
