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SpinLaunch wants to launch microsatellites with a rotating cannon instead of rockets. The first orbital test is expected to take place next year.
A California company is about to challenge traditional methods of accessing space. Using a giant centrifugal cannon, SpinLaunch plans to launch hundreds of satellites into low-Earth orbit. The idea is simple but bold: replace traditional rockets with a system that fires payloads like projectiles.
The plan is to put in orbit a batch of flattened satellites as early as next year. If the launch goes as planned, the mission could set a new world record for the most spacecraft launched at once. The record currently belongs to SpaceX, which launched 143 satellites in 2021.
Technology that spins and shoots
SpinLaunch has developed a device that resembles a giant cannon. But instead of gunpowder, the system uses rotating arms inside a vacuum-sealed chamber. The speed achieved is greater than that of a bullet. The rocket is then launched upwards through a barrel.
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This method seeks to reduce the costs of space launches. It also promises a more sustainable alternative. The launches do not use chemical fuel and do not generate greenhouse gases.
The company also wants to form its own satellite constellation, called Meridian Space. The idea is to compete with services like SpaceX's Starlink by offering a cheaper alternative.
Financial support and production of satellites
On April 3, SpinLaunch announced that it had received a new investment of US$12 million from the Norwegian company Kongsberg Defence and Aerospace (KDA). This brings the total amount raised by SpinLaunch to nearly US$150 million.
With the announcement, it was revealed that NanoAvionics, a subsidiary of KDA, will be responsible for building the first 250 satellites in the Meridian constellation. Production will focus on lightweight, flat-shaped models.
Each satellite will be about 2,2 feet wide and weigh 70 pounds. That makes them much smaller than current models used by competing companies. Starlink's V2 satellites, for example, weigh about 800 pounds.
According to NanoAvionics, the satellites will be stacked on a “launch bus,” like a stack of pancakes. This compact configuration helps reduce space and increase launch efficiency.
Previous releases and plan for 2026
SpinLaunch has already made 10 launches using its Suborbital Accelerator, installed in New Mexico. The machine used in these tests is 33 meters wide and can spin objects at up to 8.000 km/h.
The most recent launch took place in September 2022. On that occasion, payloads were successfully launched into suborbital space. During these tests, the acceleration process lasted up to 30 minutes. The payloads experienced forces of up to 10.000 Gs.
The company has yet to reveal full details about the orbital test planned for 2026. However, it is likely to use the same machine as previous tests. The rocket will launch into the upper atmosphere and then ignite its own engines to reach low-Earth orbit.
Advantages of the new method
The main selling point of SpinLaunch’s system is its cost. The company estimates it could launch payloads into space for between $1.250 and $2.500 per kilogram. That’s less than half the price of SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rockets, which cost about $6.000 per kilogram.
In addition to the price, sustainability is another strong point. The method does not release polluting gases during launch. It also avoids the disposal of propellants in space, reducing the risk of generating orbital waste.
Another benefit is agility. If everything goes as expected, the company could be able to make up to five commercial launches per day in the future. To this end, it plans to build a new Orbital Accelerator, with a chamber measuring 100 meters in diameter.
Possible impacts on space
Despite the advantages, SpinLaunch's plan raises concerns. Such a large increase in the number of launches could worsen existing problems in low-Earth orbit.
Experts warn of the risk of collisions between satellites, increased light pollution and interference with radio signals. These effects are already observed with current constellations. A greater number of satellites could make these impacts even more intense.
Another problem would be the re-entry of this equipment into the atmosphere. When this occurs, metals are released, which also contributes to air pollution.
The Meridian constellation is expected to have a maximum of 1.200 satellites, but even so, SpinLaunch could make an impact if the launch rate accelerates in the future.
The low-Earth orbit demonstration scheduled for 2026 will be a decisive step forward. A successful launch could mark a new era in space access — cheaper, cleaner, but also more challenging.
With information from Live Science.
