Stoke fires its Zenith full-flow staged-combustion engine for the first time

Stoke Space/Nova

Stoke Space completed the first hot-fire test of its Zenith full-flow staged-combustion engine on June 5, 2024, at Moses Lake, Washington. The engine ramped from rest to 350,000 horsepower in under one second, reaching its target power level. Designed for over 100,000 pounds of thrust and built in 18 months, Zenith represents one of the most efficient rocket engine designs and will power Nova's first stage.

• Hot fire: June 5, 2024, Moses Lake, Washington.
• Power: ramped 0 to 350,000 hp in <1 second; held target power level.
• Thrust: designed for >100,000 pounds; full-flow staged-combustion cycle (among most efficient designs).
• Development: designed and built in 18 months.
• Application: Nova first-stage engine for fully reusable medium-lift vehicle.