Catapults in space, investment now up to $80m

[Channel Hopper]

The centrifugal / kinetic launch system of Spinlaunch, more like something in between a catapult and a bolas according to the blurb.

The original story

Stealth space catapult startup SpinLaunch is raising $30M | TechCrunch

What if instead of blasting cargo into space on a rocket, we could fling it into space using a catapult? That's the big, possibly crazy, possibly genius

techcrunch.com

0-3000 mph in seconds.

 

[2cvbloke]

Will it be camouflaged in forest green too?

 

[Channel Hopper]

No need. theyle be taking off at night only when the sun's switched off.

Each launch will come with a ground based sonic boom which should be interesting.

 

[Topper]

But if a lead bullet melts when fired from a gun because of air resistance, surely any cargo carried will be fried before it reaches the ionosphere

 

[Channel Hopper]

Hypersonic craft have material that can withstand the pressure/temperatures during atmospheric flight, plus velocities of Mach 3.2 are not unknown in military aircraft from 20 years back. Extensive use of titanium and stainless steel composites from memory.

 

[Channel Hopper]

The Indo-Russian BrahMos project already has a Mach 3 cruise missile and the Brah-Mos II is expected to fly at Mach 7 for upwards of 300miles at near sea level. The SpinLaunch projectile only has a 60 mile trip though air and really only the first 25% of that is going to be problematic.

Perhaps the nose cone is designed to be sacrificial, like a re-entry shield in reverse.

 

[Topper]

I'll believe it when I see it

Ah but I will not it will be too fast

 

[Channel Hopper]

I'll believe it when I see it

Ah but I will not it will be too fast

The htv2 from a few years back

 

[Channel Hopper]

The Click programme went into a consumer eye view of the first launch earlier.

The company is using a carbon fibre dart to gain knowledge of the technical issues that arise with centrifugal launches.

SpinLaunch Media

Spinlaunch Media Gallery

www.spinlaunch.com

The centrifuge is a little small at 300ft diameter, but small steps and all that.

All very Buck Rogers, congratulations on getting to this point.

 

[Analoguesat]

I cant see SES risking launching Astras 1P or 1Q on something as sketchy as that somehow......

 

[Channel Hopper]

I cant see SES risking launching Astras 1P or 1Q on something as sketchy as that somehow......

That is not what the design is likely to achieve.

If it does improve, or eliminate the fuel requred to launch a percentage of the 1000+ satellites each year then it will have been a success.

There will be upgrades once initial testing has been completed, including flinging some larger stuff, but certainly not crewed craft for quite some time.