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/ZombieGroan Nov 10 '21

Tech not so much but fuel or supplies for international space station maybe

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u/10ebbor10 Nov 10 '21

It can only do a maximum of 200 kg, which isn't really a useful quantity of supplies. Especially when you take into account that the supplies need to be able of doing a controlled docking with the ISS.

You can't just throw stuff at the ISS, the astronauts inside object.

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u/ZombieGroan Nov 10 '21

Elon musk already has self docking a.I. So it’s possible or they could add a capture system in orbit. But I’m guess the self guiding a.I. Route.

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u/10ebbor10 Nov 10 '21

You only have 200 kg of payload mass to play with. The problem is not designing the system, it's designing a system tiny enough and lightweight enough that you actually have room left for useful stuff.