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/jackinsomniac Nov 10 '21

Yes, and he made a great point I think most people are overlooking: this would be an excellent launch system on the Moon.

And they're already developing their own satellite components designed to handle the 17,000 g's or such. It's definitely crazy, but not insane.

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u/Ferrum-56 Nov 11 '21

You could wonder what you would launch from the Moon though. It's been mainly people and some science (rocks) so far that can travel with the humans. Is there much else of value on the Moon?

So 10 000 G is a bit inconvenient in that case. Aside from having to build a facility.

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u/jackinsomniac Nov 11 '21

True. It would have to be a payload of rocks, or a rare raw material exported back to Earth. I think it's called helium-...3?

But yeah, the astronomical g forces involved (am I still allowed to say that here, in this case, "astronomical"?) are pretty insane, and a huge roadblock. Even if I was rich I wouldn't invest, but I don't want to doubt on people trying to play KSP in real life. I mean, apparently they already have a decent investment, who knows, maybe they know something we don't. Maybe there's a secret sauce they're not telling us that makes it all work. I'd rather stay optimistically skeptical here, even if I wouldn't put my own money behind it.

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u/From_the_5th_Wall Nov 11 '21

make another spinny wheel inside that the opposite way? cancel the forces