NASA is planning to test a system for launching small objects. The system, which uses a final stage and intense force, aims to make launches more affordable and eco-friendly.
SpinLaunch has been running tests of its system in the New Mexico desert for the past several months, and we certainly took notice of the California startup when it performed a successful first test on October 22, 2021.
SpinLaunch would like to build a gigantic launch system that can hurl objects to the edge of space. The final boost to low Earth orbit would come from the projectile's propulsion stage kicking in. The system would introduce a new way of delivering objects to space that could include small satellites, on-orbit scientific experiments, building materials, or even the ashes of loved ones.
The concept of SpinLaunch caught NASA's attention as well. According to a press release, the space agency has signed an agreement with SpinLaunch to develop, integrate, and fly a NASA payload. This test could happen later this year. The space agency would have to recover the payload and conduct a combined analysis to evaluate the test and decide if they would like to proceed with subsequent tests.
The NASA Space Act Agreement with SpinLaunch is part of the agency's Flight Opportunities Program, which gets funding from NASA. The purpose of this program is to quickly demonstrate promising tech for space exploration, discovery, and the expansion of space commerce through suborbital testing with industry flight providers.
SpinLaunch is aiming to deliver small payloads to LEO by the year 2025. It has been working with many private companies and now NASA. Jonathan Yaney, founder and CEO of SpinLaunch, said in the press release that his company offers a unique suborbital flight and high-speed testing service, and the recent launch agreement with NASA marks a key inflection point as SpinLaunch shifts focus from technology development to bussiness.
Okay, whoa, whoa. The new agreement is an exciting development for the company, but Yaney needs to pump the brakes. SpinLaunch has yet to place an object in the sky, and it is not clear if a scaled-up version of the accelerator will work as intended. The oh-so-delicate task of placing payloads in their proper orbits is also considered. They will have to survive the journey to space, not to mention the intense spinning inside the accelerator prior to discharge.
The scaled-up version of the accelerator is expected to reach speeds of 5,000 miles per hour. A launch vehicle carrying a satellite or other cargo will be positioned at the tip of a rotating carbon-fiber arm within a steel vacuum chamber. The arm will spin counterclockwise until it is ready to shoot the object through the tunnel. The launch vehicle will engage its engines to complete the journey to space. The company plans to launch satellites that weigh up to 200 lbs.
The system will result in a 70% reduction in the use of fuel compared to conventional rockets and a 10-fold reduction in the overall cost to launch, according to the company. The electric engine used in the accelerator makes it more eco-friendly than the alternative. Many components of the system are built from existing industrial hardware, and there are no new technologies or materials required. A single facility could perform multiple launches each day. SpaceLaunch is positioning the system as a cheap and efficient way for companies to build satellites.
In addition to efficacy, SpaceLaunch will have to prove safety, such as demonstrating the ability to explode a projectile. The Federal Aviation Administration needs to ensure the safety of U.S. assets during commercial launches. It will take time, but having NASA involved is an instant credibility win for the young company. It will be fascinating to see how this concept progresses.
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