In this episode of The Techne Connect, Brent Bradbury, VP of Software at Stoke Space, shares how software-driven innovation is transforming the way rockets are built, tested, and launched.
He traces his unconventional path from futures trading and SaaS development to leading within the new space economy, showing how cross-industry thinking and startup agility are accelerating progress in aerospace. Brent explains how Stoke Space is building a fully reusable rocket and how their BoltLine platform is enabling faster, more efficient hardware development across the globe.
He dives into lessons learned from scaling startups, the balance between speed and precision in engineering, and why embracing discomfort is essential for growth. Brent also reflects on the boom in commercial space, how AI is being practically applied to solve real engineering challenges, and why this moment represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to redefine how humanity builds for orbit.
From agritech to aerospace, Brent’s journey embodies the spirit of innovation, cutting complexity, empowering engineers, and proving that the next era of space exploration will be built by those bold enough to rethink how things are done.