The launch system will be taken out for a spin by NASA.
California-based company SpinLaunch has developed a suborbital, energy based system that the agency has signed on to use. SpinLaunch representatives said in an email that the test flight will provide valuable information to NASA for potential future commercial launch opportunities.
The Space Act Agreement is a part of NASA's Flight Opportunities Program, which helps demonstrate technologies that could aid the agency's science and exploration portfolios down the road and spur the growth of the private spaceflight industry.
Space travel and exploration is Incredible technology.
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SpinLaunch has a novel launch strategy. That strategy involves using a rotating arm to propel rockets to tremendous speeds here on terra firma. The launch vehicles will light up their engines when they are already high in the sky, which will greatly reduce the amount of fuel and hardware needed to reach their destination.
SpinLaunch has already conducted a series of test flights from New Mexico's Spaceport America. The company wants to have its first test flights in 25 years.
The new agreement with NASA is an important milestone in the journey of the company.
Yaney said that the recent launch agreement with NASA marks a key inflection point as SpinLaunch shifts focus from technology development to commercial offerings.
What started as an innovative idea to make space more accessible has evolved into a technically mature and game-changing approach to launch.
Mike Wall is the author of Out There, a book about the search for alien life. You can follow him on the social networking site. We encourage you to follow us on social media.