A startup makes a breakthrough by successfully launching a rocket into space without using fuel. How to?
Since space technology is growing, the use of environmentally friendly and low-cost rockets continues to be pursued. Scientists continue to question whether there is a better way to go to space than on a rocket.
The US military's High Altitude Research Project (HARP) proved more than 50 years ago that rockets do not need fuel to reach orbit. HARP successfully fired a ballistic missile using a giant gun tube. Another alternative to reaching outer space is using a large balloon.
But in fact, fuel-powered rockets have dominated space exploration since its inception. Well, a startup called SpinLaunch, puts a rocket into orbit using zero fuel aka no need for fuel at all.
The trick, SpinLaunch uses a centrifuge that spins at 5,000 miles per hour and then releases it. The NM, a new type of rocket, was launched at supersonic speed on October 22, at Space Port America. All that could be heard was a loud sonic boom, no bursts of fuel. Then, the rocket disappeared into low-Earth orbit.
Startup SpinLaunch said that was the day their Suborbital Accelerator came to life and made a breakthrough. The Suborbital Accelerator is a 1,000-ton steel vacuum centrifuge that spins at 5,000 miles per hour before releasing and launching the sonic spacecraft.
This innovation is larger than the Statue of Liberty, in which there is a long vacuum chamber where an "arm" rotates. This arm uses the power of kinetic energy to spin the rocket. Later, when the desired speed is reached, the rocket will be released and fired rapidly into the air. So, that's the way.
"This is a very different way of accelerating projectiles and launching vehicles at hypersonic speeds using ground-based systems," said SpinLaunch CEO Jonathan Yaney, as quoted by CNBC.
Spinlaunch's latest launch is not just a technology demonstration. The company is developing a larger engine, the Orbital Accelerator. They have also researched and developed the satellite technology needed to sustain the high spin speed and extreme Gs generated by their launch engines. As a result, SpinLaunch will be able to orbit satellites up to a class of 200 kilograms.
The success of SpinLaunch certainly shocked the aerospace industry. Because space launches are expensive, they can range from USD 100 million to USD 700 million. But SpinLaunch can get the job done for just half a million.
"This is a fundamentally new way to reach outer space. Not only does it reduce costs, but it can launch multiple times each day," Yaney said.
Currently, SpinLaunch's Suborbital Accelerator design is still in prototype form. Going forward, they will conduct a series of tests with different vehicles throughout 2022, with about 30 test flights to Earth orbit. SpinLaunch targets its rocket launchers to fly satellites and other space vehicles by 2025.