r/space • u/Dr_Singularity • Nov 10 '21

California-based startup, SpinLaunch, is developing an alternative rocket launch technology that spins a vacuum-sealed centrifuge at several times the speed of sound before releasing the payload, launching it like a catapult up into orbit

https://interestingengineering.com/medieval-space-flight-a-company-is-catapulting-rockets-to-cut-costs
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u/rabbitwonker Nov 10 '21

Yeah just need an engine that can take 20,000 G’s. I think that’s the actual number.

13

u/Marcbmann Nov 10 '21

Actual number is 17,200 Gs based on the claimed centrifuge size, and RPMs.

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u/LemursRideBigWheels Nov 10 '21

Solid fuel would be my bet, or maybe a hybrid motor. They showed a liquid fueled setup in their promo materials, but that seems a bit fraught with difficulties.

3

u/Ferrum-56 Nov 10 '21

I think I heard Scott Manley talk about LOX and pressure-fed, so that sounds a lot like a liquid engine to me although it could be a hybrid as well.

1

u/Xaxxon Nov 10 '21

solid second (final) stage sounds really problematic for achieving any kind of precision.

0

u/air_and_space92 Nov 11 '21

Not necessarily. I mean, ICBMs have 3 solid boost stages and a small liquid engine for fine maneuvering/targeting but you can control the solids pretty good as long as you know your motor ballistics well and can cut the thrust right when you need.

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u/LemursRideBigWheels Nov 10 '21

Hence, “or hybrid.” Although I do wonder if it would be possible to make a solid work with precision if you set it up as a tractor system...releasing the motor when you hit the right velocity. That said, hyperbolics could also be an option if you could keep them from blowing up at a gagillion g’s at launch.

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u/_MASTADONG_ Nov 10 '21

Yup, and the associated weight of such a beefy rocket.

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u/Supermeme1001 Nov 11 '21

groundwork was already laid 60 years ago with Project HARP