The SpinLaunch system has proven that it can work
A company called SpinLaunch believes it can offer the most environmentally friendly and inexpensive way to reach space. Instead of a rocket, the satellites will be sent more than 100 km from the earth’s surface using a giant rotating slingshot.
Scientists point out that rockets are not the only way to reach orbital height. In the 1960s, the United States created a huge cannon that could launch small satellites into orbit. The cost of launching is literally thousands of times lower than that of launching cargo with missiles. However, the project suffers from shortcomings – it is possible to launch only very small satellites, which at that time were extremely impractical.
SpinLaunch has been developing the kinetic system for launching into space for 6 years. It does not rely on explosives or fuel.
The system works with an electrically powered centrifuge that rotates objects in a vacuum chamber at speeds up to 8,000 km / h. They are then fired into a 90-meter tube.
On October 22, SpinLaunch conducted a successful test at Spaceport America in New Mexico. The company will soon build a larger accelerator.
“Our system is practically a giant rotating slingshot. It is capable of launching light satellites into orbit. However, they are under heavy load, so they must have special electronics“, shared by SpinLaunch.
Although the system does not have the ability to launch humans, orbiting telescopes or interplanetary missions into space, its applications would be highly valued in the market for launching “nanosatellites”.
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