CIA’s Venture Arm Invests in Reusable Spaceplane Startup

Stoke Space, a California-based space tech startup, has recently secured funding from In-Q-Tel, the venture arm of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The company aims to develop a reusable spaceplane that can launch small satellites into orbit. The funding will help Stoke Space accelerate the development of its spaceplane and bring it to market.

The spaceplane, labeled the BlackBox, is designed to be a fully reusable vehicle that can take off and land like an airplane. It will be capable of carrying up to 500 kilograms of payload into low Earth orbit and will be powered by a hybrid rocket engine that uses both liquid and solid fuels. This will allow the spaceplane to achieve high speeds and altitudes while also being more environmentally friendly than traditional rocket engines.

Stoke Space believes that the BlackBox will be a game-changer for the small satellite industry. Currently, small satellites are launched into orbit using traditional rockets, which can be expensive and have limited availability. The BlackBox will offer a more affordable and flexible alternative, allowing companies to launch their satellites on demand and at a lower cost.

The funding from In-Q-Tel is a significant milestone for Stoke Space. In-Q-Tel is known for investing in cutting-edge technologies that have the potential to benefit the intelligence community. The fact that the CIA’s venture arm is investing in Stoke Space is a testament to the potential of the BlackBox and its ability to revolutionize the space industry.

Stoke Space is not the only company working on reusable spaceplanes. SpaceX, Blue Origin, and Virgin Galactic are all developing their own versions of reusable spaceplanes. However, Stoke Space believes that its BlackBox will have several advantages over its competitors. For one, it will be able to carry a larger payload than other spaceplanes. Additionally, the hybrid rocket engine will make it more environmentally friendly than traditional rocket engines.