Kent-based Stoke Space raises another $1 billion
Published: 12:40 pm Wednesday, September 9, 2026
By: Robert Whale (rwhale@soundpublishing.com)
Stoke Space, located in Kent, has successfully raised another $1 billion, which will be utilized to accelerate the launch of its first Nova rocket, Pathfinder, set for early 2027. According to a company press release dated September 8, this funding boosts the total capital raised by Stoke to approximately $2.3 billion, allowing for the development of a larger Nova rocket.
The Pathfinder will transport spacecraft for AstroForge, a California-based asteroid mining company focused on extracting rare earth metals from asteroids.
Technical Developments:
- The upper stage will be powered by the Andromeda engine, which boasts 24 thrust chambers and an actively cooled metallic heat shield. Testing phases, including structural and hotfire assessments, are ongoing at Stoke’s facilities in Kent and Moses Lake, with static fire and integration scheduled for Cape Canaveral, Florida, in 2027.
- Stoke Space is also advancing the Nova Block 2, engineered to lift 15 metric tons to low Earth orbit in a fully reusable mode. This rocket will feature double the number of Zenith engines compared to the Pathfinder.
This increased capacity aligns with Stoke’s strategy to meet the growing demand for reusable launch services, expanding its influence in both U.S. and international markets.
Funding Details
The recent fundraising round was co-led by Point72 Ventures and Spark Capital, with participation from several firms, including General Innovation, Glade Brook Capital, US Innovation Technology, Washington Harbour Partners, Woven Capital, and Y Combinator.
CEO Andy Lapsa emphasized the importance of fully reusable vehicles in achieving cost-effective and scalable space transportation. He expressed gratitude for the confidence shown by their investors and customers, stating that this investment will help Stoke deliver the necessary capabilities and launch cadence.
Founded in 2019 by Lapsa and Tom Feldman, both former employees of Blue Origin, Stoke Space is committed to revolutionizing space transportation.
