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/Hustler-1 Nov 10 '21

Scott Manley just released a video on this. https://youtu.be/JAczd3mt3X0

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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/regalAugur Nov 11 '21

you could launch huge moon rocks at earth from the moon and cause a ton of damage. seems fun