3 minute read•Updated 7:32 PM EDT, Thu March 27, 2025
Stoke Space, an emerging leader in fully reusable launch vehicle technology, has been selected by the U.S. Space Force to compete for missions under the Department of Defense’s (DoD) prestigious National Security Space Launch (NSSL) Phase 3 Lane 1 contract. This selection marks a pivotal milestone for the company, positioning Stoke as one of only five U.S. launch providers authorized to deliver critical national security payloads for the United States.
Nova to Launch U.S. National Security Payloads
Stoke Space’s next-generation rocket, Nova, will serve as the company’s offering under the NSSL Phase 3 program. Designed from the ground up to be 100% rapidly reusable, Nova brings a revolutionary approach to launch operations that aligns closely with the Space Force’s goals for responsiveness, affordability, and resiliency.
The award comes in the form of a Firm Fixed-Price, Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract with a five-year ordering period extending through June 2029. As part of the on-ramp process, Stoke Space has received an initial $5 million task order to conduct a capabilities assessment and demonstrate its tailored mission assurance approach—an essential criterion for competing in future national security launch campaigns.
Nova is Stoke’s flagship vehicle designed for rapid turnaround and responsive space access. Featuring a two reusable stages and an innovative, regeneratively cooled heat shield system, Nova aims to dramatically reduce launch costs and infrastructure needs by landing and reusing both stages after every flight.
Unlocking a New Era of National Security Launch
The NSSL Phase 3 Lane 1 program is structured to on-ramp innovative U.S. launch providers that can offer new capabilities, increased competition, and improved access to space for the DoD and its partners. Between now and 2029, the program is expected to award a minimum of 30 missions, with the possibility of further extensions through 2034.
These missions represent some of the highest-priority orbital deployments for U.S. national security, often requiring enhanced mission assurance, precise orbital delivery, and increasingly responsive timelines. Lane 1 opens the door for emerging companies like Stoke to support these missions with cutting-edge vehicle architectures.
About Nova
Nova is a medium-class, fully reusable rocket designed to launch up to 5,000 kg to low Earth orbit. Its two-stage architecture includes:
A reusable upper stage with an integrated heat shield and reentry system
A rapidly recoverable first stage, designed for vertical takeoff and landing
Minimal refurbishment requirements for fast turnaround and reflight
Capability to support a wide range of orbits and payload configurations
Operations based out of Stoke’s dedicated launch site at Cape Canaveral Space Force Station
Nova is engineered to meet the growing demand for high-cadence, cost-effective launch solutions—particularly in support of national security, constellation deployment, and high-agility missions.
With flight testing and infrastructure development underway, Stoke is preparing for Nova’s maiden launch, a key milestone on the path toward routine, reliable, and reusable access to space.
