The funding will primarily facilitate the construction of a second launchpad at the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. Stoke’s proprietary technology, which enables orbital plane changes and the complex retrieval of space assets, sits at the heart of the Pentagon’s interest. This loan complements a massive $1 billion Series E round secured by the startup in September, bringing the company’s total raised capital to $2.3 billion to accelerate development of its Nova Block 2 vehicle.

Stoke currently aims for an early 2027 debut for the Nova Pathfinder orbital mission. The Pentagon’s Office of Strategic Capital noted that the investment serves a dual purpose: supporting company growth while addressing the critical national security requirement for increased domestic launch capacity. As defense priorities shift toward space-based weapons and hypersonic systems, the company has attracted a diverse group of backers, including Point72 Ventures, Y Combinator, and Porsche.