Sending mini-trabants into space with rockets for satellite internet services such as Elon Musk’s Starlink is complex and expensive. The American start-up SpinLaunch therefore opts for a different approach and has developed a kind of gigantic catapult to catapult the satellites into orbit around the earth. Now the company has also been able to make NASA enthusiastic about its idea.
SpinLaunch’s so-called Orbital Accelerator aims to accelerate a launch vehicle and satellite to more than 8,000 kilometers per hour using a rotating carbon fiber arm in a steel vacuum chamber and then swing them into orbit at hypersonic speed. After ascending above the stratosphere, a small, inexpensive propulsion stage is expected to provide the ultimate speed needed to enter and position Earth (see video above).
Fuel and material savings
This could save more than 70 percent in the future on the fuel and structures that make up a typical rocket, according to SpinLaunch. The start-up completed its first successful test flight at supersonic speeds last October, and since then, according to SpinLaunch in a statement, the system has had regular sub-orbital test flights carrying a large number of payloads at speeds equivalent to more than 1600 km/h at Spaceport America in New Mexico accomplished. The first launches of orbital tests are planned for 2025.
Collaboration agreed with NASA
This year, however, the company wants to test the transport and salvage of a payload together with NASA. The start-up and the US space agency recently announced a corresponding agreement. Its purpose is to “provide valuable information for potential future commercial launch opportunities”. For SpinLaunch CEO Jonathan Yaney, this partnership marks a turning point “as SpinLaunch shifts its focus from technology development to commercial offerings.”
“What started as an innovative idea to make space more accessible has evolved into an advanced and groundbreaking approach to launch. We look forward to announcing additional partners and customers soon, and greatly appreciate NASA’s continued interest and support for SpinLaunch.”
huge need
In any case, the demand for cheaper transport options for small satellites is high. One day, there will be about 30,000 mini-satellites orbiting the Earth for Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service alone. The British company OneWeb and Amazon have similar ambitions with their Kuiper project. However, the mini-satellites are not only playing an increasingly important role in communication, but also in research, for example into climate observation, and in issues of national security.
Source: Krone
I’m Wayne Wickman, a professional journalist and author for Today Times Live. My specialty is covering global news and current events, offering readers a unique perspective on the world’s most pressing issues. I’m passionate about storytelling and helping people stay informed on the goings-on of our planet.
