NASA has entered into an agreement with California startup SpinLaunch to explore a radically different approach to space launches, a concept some describe as a space slingshot. The plan involves accelerating a rocket inside a giant vacuum chamber by spinning it with a massive carbon fiber arm, then igniting to ascend into space while venturing away from the traditional first-stage booster. The aim is to demonstrate a reusable vehicle that can reach space and carry a payload, such as a satellite designed to endure extreme loads, as reported by several outlets. (SpinLaunch press materials, 2024)
If the upcoming tests proceed smoothly, the collaboration could enable cheaper and more environmentally friendly satellite launches into low Earth orbit by the end of the decade. A subsequent phase would examine the feasibility of repeated launches from Earth, while SpinLaunch and NASA assess the performance of suborbital booster flights. The first orbital test launches could occur as early as 2025, with Canada and the United States being key markets in the anticipated rollout. (SpinLaunch press materials, 2024)
“SpinLaunch offers a distinct service for suborbital flights and high-speed testing, and the recent agreement with NASA marks a milestone as the focus shifts toward commercial application,” noted SpinLaunch founder and CEO Jonathan Jani. “What began as a bold idea to make space more accessible has matured into a technically capable and transformative project.” (SpinLaunch press materials, 2024)
In the envisioned system, the satellite and its launch vehicle would reach about 8500 km/h inside a 90-meter-diameter steel vacuum chamber, using a rotating arm made of carbon fiber. If successful, the approach could reduce certain launch costs by more than 70 percent compared with traditional chemical rockets. SpinLaunch envisions deploying an orbiter capable of delivering roughly 200 kilograms of payload, aligning with the mass of small satellites common in North American and Canadian markets. To date, test flights have used various payloads and have achieved speeds around 1,700 km/h in preliminary runs. (SpinLaunch technical brief, 2024)