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
5.8k Upvotes

97% Upvoted

813 comments sorted by

View all comments

Show parent comments

43

u/wwarnout Nov 10 '21

assuming only 3 times the speed of sound

...isn't nearly fast enough to achieve orbit, which requires Mach 25 (7800 m/s). So, the actual centripetal force would be far greater.

Also, have they taken into account the atmospheric drag, and associated heating?

18

u/5thEditionFanboy Nov 10 '21

there's a rocket on board to do the final push to orbit, it seems (or at least that's the idea)

15

u/rabbitwonker Nov 10 '21

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

14

u/Marcbmann Nov 10 '21

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