Andy Lapsa
Andy Lapsa is Co-Founder and CEO at Stoke Space, where he is leading efforts to develop fully reusable rockets. He previously held engineering and director roles at Blue Origin and has expertise in propulsion engineering and reusable space technologies.
Stoke Space Technologies raises $9.1 million seed round to build reusable upper-stage rockets
Stoke Space Technologies, founded by former Blue Origin engineers in Renton, Wash., raised $9.1 million in seed funding to develop a reusable upper-stage rocket aimed at making full-stage reusability commonplace. CEO Andy Lapsa says extending reusability to upper stages is the next industry milestone and will better serve the commercial satellite market.
Blue Origin Alumni Launch Startups: Relativity Prepares Terran Launch as Co-founder Jordan Noone Steps Back; Stoke Space Wins $225K NSF Grant
Blue Origin, founded by Jeff Bezos 20 years ago, has spawned a wave of space startups led by its alumni, including Relativity Space and Stoke Space. Relativity is preparing a Terran rocket launch and undergoing leadership change as co-founder Jordan Noone steps back, while Stoke Space in Renton is developing reusable upper-stage propulsion with a $225,000 NSF SBIR grant.
Organizations
-
Stoke Space Executive Officer, Director 2021–present, Co-Founder, CEO 2019–present, Founder · current
-
Blue Origin Director, BE-3 and BE-3U Engines 2017–2019, Propulsion Engineer, BE-4 2011–2017, Propulsion Engineer, R&D 2009–2011 · past
Education
-
Y Combinator 2021
-
University of Michigan Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Aerospace, Aeronautical and Astronautical Engineering · 2004–2009
-
Cornell University Bachelor of Science (B.S.), Mechanical Engineering · 2000–2004
