Nova
A medium-lift rocket designed so both stages, including the upper stage, return and fly again. First flight targeted for early 2027 from Cape Canaveral.
Why it matters
Upper stages are thrown away on almost every rocket today. Recovering them too could make launches cheaper and more frequent, and give satellite operators another US option besides SpaceX.
How the technology works
The first stage uses seven Zenith full-flow staged combustion engines burning liquid natural gas and oxygen. The upper stage uses the Andromeda engine, burning hydrogen and oxygen, and an actively cooled metal heat shield so it can survive reentry and be reused.
Sources
Updated Oct 22, 2026 · How we source facts · Suggest a correction